NETS CLAIM 6’8” PAUL EBOUA OFF WAIVERS, LIKELY BOUND FOR LONG ISLAND

Paul Eboua, a 6’8” Cameroonian power forward who played in Italy the last three seasons, is the latest member of the Nets training camp, having been claimed off waivers by Brooklyn Friday afternoon. Shams Charania and Alex Schiffer of The Athletic broke the news...

The Nets confirmed the move later Friday.

Eboua, who had been linked to the Nets in mock drafts, went undrafted and was signed by Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat on an Exhibit 10 contract. He was waived two days ago and according to Italian press reports was trying to get a new NBA gig. Eboua is likely to wind up with the Long Island Nets.

The 20-year-old played with Pesaro of the Italian League in 2019-20, posting averages of 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game. He shot 55 percent from two, 25.8 percent from three and 62.5 percent from the free throw line. With a 7’3” wingspan and an NBA body, Eboua is seen as a potential NBA defender.

Claiming the 20-year-old off waivers brings the Nets camp roster back up to the maximum of 20. In the last several days, the Nets have waived two camp invites, Nate Sestina and Jordan Bowden, then in quick order signed French point guard Elie Okobo and G League wing Kaiser Gates before releasing Gates 24 hours later. That opened up a spot for Eboua. Sestina, Bowden, Gates and Eboua are all likely to be affiliate players for Long Island. A French sports site reported Friday that although Okobo signed an Exhibit 10 contract like the others, he is hoping for a two-way deal. The Nets have to make final roster decisions by Monday.

Eboua has been described as raw but talented. More than one draftnik thought he’d be drafted in the second round. In early mock drafts, both ESPN and NBADraft.net projected Eboua to the Nets at No. 55. The Nets traded the No. 55 pick for the No. 57 pick on Draft Night and selected Reggie Perry.

Here’s an interview ESPN’s Mike Schmitz conducted with Eboua before the draft.

As Schmitz noted, NBA teams have had interest in Eboua for two years.

In addition to playing for three Italian league teams, Eboua had played for Italy’s U18 national team. Eboua was first noticed at a Basketball Without Borders camp in Los Angeles two years ago.