Panathinaikos has moved swiftly to replace the injured Mathias Lessort, securing South Sudan international Wenyen Gabriel from Maccabi Tel Aviv on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.
Gabriel, 27, is no stranger to the EuroLeague, having joined the competition this past summer after a six-year career in the NBA and G League.
He also spent time in Puerto Rico at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Despite a promising start, injuries limited his involvement for Maccabi, where he averaged 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks across nine appearances in the EuroLeague.
The South Sudan native was part of his country’s roster at the 2024 Olympic Games and will now aim to provide Panathinaikos with much-needed depth following Lessort’s serious injury. Lessort fractured his fibula last Thursday, prompting the quick move for Gabriel.
Gabriel’s final game for Maccabi came in Round 16, where he played just four minutes due to a hand injury. His ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game, from scoring to rebounding and shot-blocking, makes him a versatile addition to Panathinaikos’s frontcourt.