Back in August, the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to waive Usman Garuba, who they had just received from a trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
At the time, Garuba was disappointed by the team’s choice but he vowed to make them regret it.
“I’ll prove everyone wrong. Mark my words,” Garuba said, according to Legion Hoops.
He took the first step to proving them all wrong on Friday when he signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Usman Garuba in August after being released by the Thunder: “I’ll prove everyone wrong. Mark my words.”’
Today, he signed a contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Let’s go. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QM4O2zkks0
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 15, 2023
Garuba hasn’t had the easiest career since joining the league in 2021.
After being the 23rd overall pick in the draft, he played for the Houston Rockets for two seasons where he only produced an average of 3 points and 4.1 rebounds.
That is a team that is trying to figure itself out and it didn’t have a spot for Garuba, so no one was surprised when they let him go at the start of the summer.
From there, he bounced briefly to the Hawks and then the Thunder and then was without an NBA home.
Luckily for Garuba, this was right before the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Playing for his home country of Spain, Garuba averaged 8.2 points and 4 rebounds per game during the tournament.
That turned a few heads and caught a few eyes.
It put him on the radar of several teams, including the Warriors.
And now he has a new contract with one of the most historic and proven franchises in NBA history.
Of course, earning this two-way deal is just the beginning.
The 21-year-old center will have to play hard and show the Warriors that he should stick around.
Garuba has yet to really prove himself in the NBA; will he do so with Golden State?
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