By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Urging to find a new big man under the rim after Josh Nebo’s departure to Milan, Maccabi Tel Aviv signed Wenyen Gabriel for the 2024-25 season. The deal includes an option to extend the relationship for another year.
The 27-year-old versatile big man recently played in Puerto Rico with the Vaqueros de Bayamón, where he put up 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per night after ending his NBA experience in Memphis.
After finishing his college career in Kentucky, he spent various seasons in the NBA, managing to stay for two straight years with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Oded Kattash praised his team’s newest addition. “Gabriel has NBA experience, with diverse abilities and a lot of upside. He’s a player who occupies the 5 position and can also play outside, knows how to finish near the rim, and has a defensive presence. He will help us and give us a lot of energy. I am sure that the connection to the audience will be quick and that the fans will enjoy him a lot”, he said.
“I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join such a historic organization. I can no longer wait to bring my passion to Tel Aviv and the EuroLeague and meet the famous fan base. I can say that I feel at home wearing the yellow jersey”, Wenyen Gabriel stated on the club’s official website.
Representing his country for the first time at the FIBA Basketball World Cup by averaging 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, he was one of the reasons why Royal Ivey’s team managed to qualify for the Olympic Games.
The African side made history by making it to Paris 2024, and they will now face USA Basketball, Serbia, and Puerto Rico in Group C of the upcoming Olympic Games in France.
ברוך הבא למכבי, ווניין גבריאל!
כל הפרטים > https://t.co/jHOJ8bL4XL pic.twitter.com/rQny8Oh3CK— Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) July 10, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023