The RETAbet Bilbao Basket announced the signing of the American Jeff withey, a center with more than 200 NBA experience games between 2013 and 2018 with New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks who comes from the South Korean Goyang Orion Orions.
Withey, 2.13 meters tall and 31 years old, will relieve in the rotation of the Basque team Ondrej Balvin as an internal reference and becomes the seventh reinforcement of the ‘men in black’ for the next campaign.
Before the center of San Diego, Bilbao Basket closed the hiring of the Brazilian base Rafa Luz, American guard Andrew Goudelock, French forward Valentin Bigote, Lithuanian power forward Gytis Masiulis, Extremadura, also ‘4’, Alejandro Galán and Dominican center Ángel Delgado.
After his time in the NBA, Withey, chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 39th position of the 2013 draft, had his first experiences in Europe in the 2018-2019 campaign with the Turkish Tofas Bursa and the Greek Lavrio.
In 2019-2020 he had 13.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and a PIR of 24 in Israel with Ironi Nes Ziona before playing last season in South Korea.
Rafa Pueyo, sports director of Bilbao Basket, emphasizes that Withey is a pivot “with experience” who “must contribute his defensive capacity and intimidation”.
“In addition, he is a good rebounder who will help us control our defensive rebound. In attack he is a good player in pick & roll situations and in short shots and also in the rebound. We hope that his presence will make us strong in the field. painting “, Pueyo confides.
With the arrival of Withey, Bilbao Basket has its squad practically outlined, in the absence of the departure of Arnoldas Kulboka.
In addition to the seven additions, Jonathan Rousselle, Ludde Hakanson, Tomeu Rigo, Alex Reyes and Regimantas Miniotas will continue in Miribilla next year.