Usman Garuba provided the latest on his free agency and its goals while also naming an NBA team he'd like to play for.
Spain national team forward Usman Garuba can finally enjoy playing significant minutes for his team.
In the first two FIBA Olympic Qualifiers games in Valencia, Spain, Garuba averages 15 minutes, 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals, 1.0 assist, and 13.5 EFF per game.
He was dominant in the matchup against Lebanon, in which he accumulated 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 25 EFF in 19 minutes of play.
Nevertheless, Garuba admits that, for him, there isn't much of a difference between playing European basketball and playing in the NBA.
"Nothing special, really," Garuba told BasketNews on what it's like to return to European basketball. "Basketball is basketball as long as you play the right way and the way you gotta play. You gotta do simple things, and that's it pretty much."
Still, during the 2023-24 campaign, he made only six appearances for the Golden State Warriors, averaging 3 minutes, 0.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
However, the 22-year-old performed way better in the G League, representing Santa Cruz Warriors. Garuba had averages of 13.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game in 21 appearances.
On April 14, the Warriors converted Garuba's contract to a standard NBA deal. Yet, it only granted him two appearances for Golden State, including a 2-minute cameo in the Play-In game against the Sacramento Kings.
"Of course, [getting back to the NBA] is my priority. But, at the end of the day, you gotta assess every option and find the best option for you. But right now, I'm not focused on that. I try to focus on Spain and take my team to the Olympics," Garuba noted.
After being asked whether he would take a two-way contract, Garuba said
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