Wenyen Gabriel, the 28-year-old South Sudanese center, is close to signing with Bayern Munich after his stint with Panathinaikos Athens, according to BasketNews sources.
The move comes as Bayern prepares for the departure of starting big man Devin Booker to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, with advanced talks first reported by Aris Barkas of EuroHoops, signaling a strategic roster shift.
Standout Rookie Season in EuroLeague
Gabriel, in his rookie EuroLeague season split between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Panathinaikos, averaged 6.0 points on 69.3% two-point shooting, 3.6 rebounds (1.8 offensive), and a 6.8 PIR in 17 minutes per game. His memorable Panathinaikos debut at SAP Garden (6 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks) and a 15-point, 8-rebound, 28-PIR game against Žalgiris highlight his impact, bolstered by a +8.4 net rating with Panathinaikos.
Tactical Fit and Booker’s Exit
Gabriel’s defensive prowess and rebounding address Bayern’s need to replace Booker, whose Milan move follows a strong tenure. His NBA experience (4.4 points, 3.4 rebounds over five seasons) and Olympic stint with South Sudan (9.0 rebounds in 2024) add versatility, contrasting with Panathinaikos’ recent loss of depth, potentially paving the way for new signings.
Posted on: 25 June 2025, 12:35 CET
