Free agent big man Omari Spellman has signed to play in South Korea with Anyang KGC, as our JD Shaw relays (via Twitter). The club, which competes in the Korean Basketball League, has formally announced the signing (Instagram link).
Spellman, 24, was one of three players selected by the Hawks in the first round of the 2018 draft, along with Trae Young and Kevin Huerter. While Young has become a star and Huerter was a key rotation player for Atlanta during the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals this year, Spellman – the No. 30 overall pick out of Villanova – struggled to adjust to the NBA and was traded to the Warriors during the 2019 offseason.
Spellman was later flipped to the Timberwolves at the 2020 deadline in the Andrew Wiggins/D’Angelo Russell trade, then was sent to the Knicks last November. He began the 2020/21 season on New York’s roster, but was waived in January to make room for Taj Gibson.
In 95 total NBA appearances for the Hawks and Warriors, Spellman averaged 6.8 PPG and 4.3 RPG on .417/.366/.766 shooting in 17.8 minutes per game. He also played in a total of 24 G League games for three different teams, recording 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 25.3 minutes per contest.
So much more opportunities to make a great living for the athletes. Spellman will love Korea!
Another Villanova dude that bites the dust… no surprise there, right?
That’s a ridiculous comment.
He should have stayed at Nova another 2 years. He would have been better prepared for the NBA.