The San Antonio Spurs signed center Charles Bassey to a two-way contract. The news comes hours after the team waived two-way forward Jordan Hall. According to sources, Dominic Barlow still holds the other position.
Bassey was selected 53rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA draft. The rookie center averaged 3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 23 games off the bench during the 2021-22 season. He also shot 63.8% from the field.
A few NBA betting sites are giving the Spurs third-lowest odds to win the championship in 2023. While another title win is unlikely for the rebuilding team, some sportsbooks aren’t ruling out a playoff run.
OFFICIAL: We’ve signed Charles Bass to a two-way contract. Welcome to the team, @CB_ONES23!
More ➡️ https://t.co/CNAauA9VJR pic.twitter.com/w8kkRWcuWT
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 24, 2022
Spurs are confident in their new centre. In 17 games with the Delaware Bluecoats, the team’s NBA G League affiliate, Bassey averaged 18.9 points, 10.2 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.4 blocks per game. He led the G League in block percentage (10.6%).
He was then selected to the NBA G League All-Rookie Team, the NBA G League All-Defensive Team and the All-NBA G League Second Team.
Basse finished the G League season ranked eighth in total blocks (58), eighth in field goal percentage (64.3%), second in field goal percentage (27.8) and seventh in true shooting percentage (72.2%).
Bassey was waived by the Sixers two weeks ago.
The Spurs signed center Charles Bass to a two-way contract and released forward Jordan Hull.
Additionally, in 72 career starts with Western Kentucky in the NCAA, the center averaged 15.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. To add to these stats, Bassey shot 59.6% from the floor and 31.9% from downtown.
In 2018-19, the freshman averaged 14.6 points, 10 boards and 2.4 blocks per contest in 34 starts. He won Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, and was selected to the All-Conference USA First Team.
The center also decided to redshirt after suffering a season-ending tibial plateau fracture against Arkansas. In 10 starts, Bassey averaged 15.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 blocks. He excelled in color defense in college. So this is good news for Spurs.
Heading into the junior 2020-21 season, the Nigerian-born prospect averaged 17.6 points, 11.6 boards and 3.1 blocks per game in 28 starts.
On December 10, 2021, Bassey scored a game-high 29 points in an 86–84 win over Western Kentucky’s Gardner-Dorn.
At the end of his junior season, the center led the conference in total rebounds (325), blocks (87), field goal percentage (59%), field goals made (194) and player efficiency rating (32.7).
In fact, Bass won Conference USA Player of the Year and earned his second All-Conference USA first team selection. He earned his second Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year award. When healthy, the 6’11” big man is a huge asset to any team.
Charles Bassey will spend time with his G League team, the Austin Spurs. Although, Jakob Poelt and Gorgi Dieng could serve as good mentors for the 22-year-old.
