Spanish forward/center Usman Garuba is set to return to his homeland after signing a three-year contract with Real Madrid, according to Eurohoops. The 22-year-old has spent three seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Golden State Warriors last season and playing in just seven contests. In the two previous campaigns, Garuba averaged 2.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes across 105 appearances for the Houston Rockets. For the upcoming season, the Madrid-born big man will be in his second stint with Real Madrid.
Spanish forward/center Usman Garuba is set to return to his homeland on a long-term contract with Real Madrid. According to Sportando, Garuba will sign a deal until 2029. The 22-year-old has spent three seasons in the NBA. He made six appearances with Golden State in 2023-24. Garuba has also suited up for Houston, averaging 2.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes across 105 appearances in the Association. The Madrid-born big man is a highly-rated rebounder and defender but never really made things work for himself in the NBA. Judging by the length of the contract he's signing with Real, it looks like Garuba isn't planning to return to America any time soon.
The Houston Rockets traded forward/center Usman Garuba and guard TyTy Washington Jr. alongside two future second-round draft picks to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, receiving the draft rights to Alpha Kaba in return. The move helped Houston to open up some extra cap room to finish off their free agency dealings. Atlanta grabbed a pair of young players and extra draft assets. Garuba, who was a first-round pick back in 2021, will strengthen a John Collins-less Hawks frontcourt, while Washington will battle for backcourt minutes. The Kentucky product didn't do a lot in the NBA during his rookie campaign in 2022-23, but he flashed potential in the G League, averaging 26.6 points with 6.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists.
Houston Rockets forward Usman Garuba (ankle) will miss the rest of the summer league. The young forward suffered a sprained right ankle, which will force him to the sideline. The 21-year-old played 10 minutes per game across 24 contests last season. It's unlikely that his minutes are going to rise heading into next season. The Rockets used the No. 3 overall pick to select forward Jabari Smith Jr. in the most recent NBA Draft. The departure of Christian Wood might open up a few minutes for Garuba off the bench. He did have a 14 rebound game last season. However, it would likely take a few injuries for Garuba to get legitimate minutes in the rotation next season.
Houston Rockets rookie forward Usman Garuba will make the first start of his NBA career in Wednesday night's game against the Sacramento Kings. He will be joined in the starting unit by Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Garrison Mathews and Jae'Sean Tate. The Rockets are without Alperen Sengun (leg) and Christian Wood (hamstring) for the game and Wood has been ruled out for the season. Garuba, who stands 6'8", will function as the team's center while on the court on Wednesday. He's a scrappy defender and a solid rebounder. We'll see if the extended minutes can lead to some decent statistical production.
