By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Big man Jock Landale was about to a return to EuroLeague for Anadolu Efes but he ultimately landed his first NBA contract. Per Shams Charania, Landale has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Antoio Spurs and will be joining Gregg Popovich’s team.
Popovich will actually get to see his new player up close Thursday (5/8) when his Team USA will be facing Landale’s Australia in the first of the two Olympic Games semifinals. So far in the tournament, Landale has been averaging 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds while the Boomers are on an undefeated streak.
Landale had a precontract with Efes that included an NBA out until mid August if the player found a team in the league.
In 2020-21, Landale, 25, played for the Melbourne United in the Australian League. He averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in the season overall and he led the team to the championship title, earning Finals MVP.
UPDATE: The Spurs announced his addition on Friday, 20 August.
Per the press release: “The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed center Jock Landale. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.
Landale, 6-11/255, recently helped Australia win their first-ever Olympic medal in men’s basketball when they earned bronze at the 2020 Olympic Games. Landale averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 21.5 minutes for the Boomers in Tokyo.
Originally from Melbourne, Landale spent last season with Melbourne United where he averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.34 blocks to help the team win the 2021 NBL Championship. After sweeping the Perth Wildcats in the championship series, Landale was named the NBL Grand Final MVP.
The three-year pro also spent 2018-19 with Partizan in Serbia and 2019-20 with Zalgiris in Lithuania after spending four years at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he averaged 13.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in his career. The Gaels center averaged 21.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in his senior season in 2017-18 and was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
Landale will wear No. 34 for the Silver and Black.”