Inside The Celtics

Celtics Attend Israeli League MVP Chinanu Onuaku's Summer League Workout

Onuaku registered 15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks for Bnei Herzliya last season.

Bobby Krivitsky

Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

After establishing himself at the collegiate level with the Louisville Cardinals, the Houston Rockets selected Chinanu Onuaku with the seventh pick in the second round (37th overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft. From 2016-18, he appeared in six games with them.

After that, his basketball journey took him around the globe, from South Korea to Croatia and Israel. After earning Israeli League MVP honors while starring for Bnei Herzliya, Onuaku is now hoping to return to the NBA.

According to Aris Barkas of EuroHoops.net, Onuaku worked out on Wednesday in Las Vegas for a small group of teams, including the Celtics, Lakers, Raptors, Mavericks, and Clippers.

Onuaku, who turns 26 in November, posted impressive numbers last season, averaging 15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks.

However, it's worth noting the Israeli League ranks behind many in Europe, including the Spanish, Turkish, Serbian, and Lithuanian leagues, among others.

This author considers Mfiondu Kabengele and Trevion Williams of the Sin City Celtics more likely to earn a full-time or two-way contract with Boston. But as a six-foot-ten center coming off a dominant campaign, demonstrating what he can bring to the table on both ends of the floor, it's possible Onuaku's workout at Summer League earns him an NBA deal.

And if it doesn't, Barkas reports an offer from Greek club Panathinaikos could come soon.

Further Reading

Pacers Waiving Three Players Acquired in Malcolm Brogdon Trade

Brad Stevens Says He Has 'Green Light' from Ownership to Spend What It Takes to Win

Danilo Gallinari Discusses Turning Down More Lucrative Offers to Join Celtics

Malcolm Brogdon Discusses Dynamic Between He and Marcus Smart as Former Embraces Sixth-Man Role

Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari Prepared to Make Necessary Sacrifices to Win a Championship

Malcolm Brogdon Thought He Was Headed to Wizards Before Celtics Traded for Him

[Film Room] JD Davison's Mostly Positive Summer League Debut

How Will Celtics Round Out Their Roster?

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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