Wenyen Gabriel Signs with the Memphis Grizzlies

After a brief hiatus, Wenyen Gabriel is back in the NBA. The former Kentucky Wildcat is returning to the league as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. He signed a 10-day contract with the franchise on Friday. Memphis is 22-41, near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Gabriel has spent the season in the G League playing for the Wisconsin Herd. He started in all 40 games this year and averaged 14.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks in just over 31 minutes per contest. He’s shooting 52.5% from the field and better than 45% from three-point land.

A 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward from South Sudan, Gabriel has appeared in 145 NBA games since he left Kentucky following the 2018 season. A journeyman who has played for six different teams, his longest stint has been his most recent in the NBA. Gabriel played for the Lakers from 2021-23 and started in seven of his 87 appearances. He scored 5.7 points and grabbed 4.2 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game for the Lake Show.

Continuing a career through the ups and downs of the G League is not for the faint of heart. Wenyen Gabriel is grinding through it to continue pursuing his passion. Respect.

Remember that time Wenyen Gabriel went crazy?

This Sunday will mark the six-year anniversary of the greatest game of Wenyen Gabriel’s Kentucky career. Facing off against Alabama in St. Louis, Gabriel was money at the Scottrade Center. Wenyen Gabriel made all seven of his three-point attempts to score 23 points, matching his career-high.

“I think I was in the zone after probably my third 3,” Gabriel said after the game. “I’ve had a game like that before. Obviously, not in a Kentucky uniform yet. That was great to have one of these today for my confidence going forward.”

Kentucky rocked Collin Sexton and the Alabama Crimson Tide, cruising to an 86-63 in the SEC Tournament Semifinals. The following day the Cats defeated Tennessee 77-72 in the championship game.

Kentucky has not won an SEC Tournament title since Wenyen helped propel the fourth-seeded Cats to a victory in Missouri. In fact, John Calipari is 2-4 in the event since he last cut down the nets in St. Louis. There are a whole lot of people who would like to see that record change drastically next week in Nashville.

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