A FORMER first-round pick has hit free agency after just two years in the NBA.
Still only 21 years old, Spain’s Usman Garuba is on the search for a new home after being dropped by his third team this year.
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Garuba made 99 appearances for HoustonCredit: Getty
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He averaged 12.2 minutes, 2.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists for the RocketsCredit: Getty
A keen soccer player growing up, Garuba switched to basketball at nine years old thanks to his height, as per CBS Sports.
He went on to join Real Madrid B in 2017 before making the jump to their senior team the following year as a fresh-faced 16-year-old.
In 53 EuroLeague appearances, Garuba averaged 4.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.
Meanwhile, he had also broken into Spain’s junior teams, winning gold and silver medals at the FIBA Under-16s European Championships in 2016 and 2018 respectively.
After being named the EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player in 2021, Garuba headed for the U.S. and the NBA Draft.
Labeled “The best defender in this year’s NBA Draft class” by CBS Sports, it’s safe to say expectations were high for the 6-foot-8 Spaniard.
He would up being selected 23rd overall by the Houston Rockets, following which The Athletic said: “Garuba falling to 23 is nothing short of a godsend for Houston.
“The Rockets were one of the worst defensive teams in the league last season and Garuba has quality defender written all over him.”
Garuba’s rookie campaign was one to forget, splitting the season between the Rockets and their G-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
The following season he made 74 appearances for the Rockets but only averaged 12.9 minutes per game as his career continued to stall.
This marked Garuba’s last in Texas before he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, who then sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder four days later.
His stay in Oklahoma also proved short-lived as he was waived by the team on August 21.
However, it seems Garuba’s resolve is unwavering, tweeting on Monday: “I’ll prove everyone wrong. Mark my words.”
And he won’t have to wait long to prove the doubters wrong, as he prepares to suit up for his country at the FIBA World Cup.
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Garuba is a Liga ACB and Supercopa winnerCredit: Getty
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