By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
From rumors and exchanges on social media, Usman Garuba eventually reunited with Real Madrid.
Confirming a report by Eurohoops in late May, he joined Los Blancos. The 22-year-old big inked a three-year contract, Madrid announced on Tuesday.
Per the press release: “Real Madrid C. F. has agreed to a deal with Usman Garuba that will see the player join the club for the next three seasons, until 30 June 2027.
Usman Garuba comes back for his second stint with Real Madrid after playing three seasons in the NBA, two of them with the Houston Rockets (2021-2023) and the last one with the Golden State Warriors (2023-2024).
The power forward joined our youth academy in 2013, playing in every age group and becoming Spanish champion as an Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18, and winning two Minicopas and the European Junior Cup in 2019.
Garuba made his debut with the Real Madrid first team that season, going on to win 4 trophies in three seasons: 1 League, 1 Copa del Rey and 2 Spanish Super Cups. He was also named Best Young Player in the Endesa League and Euroleague for the 2020-2021 season.
He’s a member of the Spanish national team, having been capped 42 times and won the gold medal at the European Championship in 2022.”
Limited action with the Warriors
A youth product of the storied club based in the capital of Spain, Garuba was named EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player before his departure in 2021. Over the last three years, he made his way to 106 NBA games between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. Specifically last season with the Warriors, he was limited to seven appearances, while averaging 12.3 points, 10.4 points, 2.0 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per contest over 37 games played with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.
Heading to the 2024-25 editions of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and domestic competitions in Spain, the team coached by Chus Mateo previously signed Andres Feliz, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, and Serge Ibaka. Also, Alberto Abalde, Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Mario Hezonja, Sergio Llull, Dzanan Musa, and Walter Tavares are among the returning players. In recent news concerning the squad and the frontline, Guerschon Yabusele is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Photo Credit: FIBA