By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kostas Koufos is signing with NBA G League Ignite, as reported by Marc Stein. He considered multiple European offers but opted to join the select team, adds the report.
UPDATE (5/11): Koufos officially joins G League Ignite shortly after becoming a dad.
Koufos, 32, last played for Olympiacos. The brief stint at the end of the 2020-21 season generated 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game over eight appearances, including five starts. He competed in 17 more EuroLeague games as a member of CSKA Moscow during the 2019-20 season.
Following his two-year run in the EuroLeague, the seasoned seven-footer has been working out aiming to stay in shape, while awaiting the opportunity to display his talents.
The Greek-American, former Ohio State center, is a veteran of 723 NBA matches, including 37 games logged in the Playoffs. His 11 years in the NBA were split between the Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and most recently the Sacramento Kings for four seasons up to 2018-19. The final season at Sacramento featured Koufos at 3.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest over 42 appearances.
His previous G League experience dates back to the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons, then named D-League. Fresh into his pro career, he played in 16 games for the Utah Flash.
Ignite, based on promising youngsters playing alongside experienced players, in its second season will take on the Iowa Wolves on October 29 and Sioux Falls Skyforce a couple of days later in preseason exhibition games. The season debut follows on November 5 against the South Bay Lakers as part of its 12-game Showcase Cup schedule.