By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming in for Real Madrid, Petr Cornelie signed a one-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.
Cornelie, 26, finished the 2021-22 season in the G League producing 17.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals per contest for the Grand Rapids Gold. He was waived by the Denver Nuggets in January.
The French player is equipped to play both the power forward and center positions. Fitting nicely in the frontcourt of Los Blancos already consisting of French compatriots Guerschon Yabusele and Vincent Poirier along with Walter Tavares and Gabriel Deck.
In 2016, he was selected with the 54th overall pick in the NBA draft by the Nuggets. However, his NBA career was limited to 13 appearances in the 2021-22 season. He averaged 1.1 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 0.1 steals per game.
At the international level, Cornelie represented France throughout the junior teams and last season emerged into the senior squad. Caps include the 2020 Olympic Games held last summer in Tokyo.
Before moving his talents overseas, he logged 46 appearances in the Basketball Champions League, split between Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez and Le Mans. In addition, he has played in 11 games of the 7DAYS EuroCup and 13 of the FIBA Europe Cup. Up next will be the premier club continental competition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
During the offseason, the team guided by new head coach Chus Mateo already secured the services of Mario Hezonja, Dzanan Musa, and Sergio Rodriguez, all former NBA players as well. Fabien Causeur, Sergio Llull, and Rudy Fernandez penned contract extensions.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL