Wenyen Gabriel joining the Sacramento Kings

UPDATE

Wenyen Gabriel will play NBA summer league with the Sacramento Kings, according to team reporter Sean Cunningham, who also says “Beyond that remains to be seen.”

It sounds like Gabriel will have to impress in the summer league just to secure a training camp invite with the Kings or another NBA team.

Wenyen Gabriel did not hear his name called during the NBA Draft, but he’s still going to get his shot.

Gabriel just posted a tweet that suggests he has some kind of deal with the Sacramento Kings:

It’s likely an invite to the Kings’ summer league team, but it may include a training camp invite if he plays well. If he signs with the Kings, he’ll join former Wildcats Skal Labissiere, De’Aaron Fox and Willie Cauley-Stein.

Gabriel, who entered the draft after two years in Lexington, round a role on the court last year as a high-energy player with a strong motor who could rebound, fight for loose balls, and hit jumpers from the perimeter at a near 40 percent clip.

After upping his scoring average a little more than two points per game in about six minutes more per game, Gabriel opted to enter his name into the NBA Draft. He was never projected to be drafted by any major mock draft service, but he was invited to workout for several teams, most likely for a G-League spot or training camp roster spot.

Part of why Gabriel has even considered the pros is UK having a deep frontcourt next season, which could keep him from getting a bigger role in his third collegiate season.

But really, Gabriel has simply sounded like a guy ready to be a pro and focus all of his time and efforts on basketball, whether that’s in the NBA, the G-League or even overseas.

Time to chase the dream!

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