By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Former Barcelona and Zalgiris forward Tom Digbeu has signed a deal with Brisbane Bullets of the NBL, the team announced Monday.
Digbeu, 19, spent the previous season with CBet (Prienai) of the Lithuanian League on loan from Zalgiris, where he averaged 8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists across 33 games.
The French youngster had a career-high performance against Zalgiris early in the 2020-21 season, posting 27 points, 11 rebounds for CBet:
Per the official announcement:
The Brisbane Bullets are pleased to announce that Tom Digbeu will join the team in the NBL22 season as part of the NBL Next Stars program. This signing marks the first time Brisbane have had an NBL Next Star on their roster.
Digbeu is an exciting young European talent, with his sights set on the 2022 NBA draft. The 19-year-old has prior professional experience, most recently with BC Prienai in the highly regarded Lithuanian league. He had a breakout performance against European powerhouse Žalgiris last season, with 27 points and 11 rebounds.
As a junior, Digbeu rose through the ranks of FC Barcelona’s basketball academy. During his decorated junior career, he attended the 2018 NBA Basketball Without Borders (Europe) camp and 2017 Jordan Brand Classic and impressed alongside current NBA talent.
Born in Spain, Digbeu is eligible to play for both the Spanish and French national teams as his father, former NBA draftee Alain Digbeu is of French decent.
Bullets General Manager of Basketball Sam Mackinnon said: “He’s young with an excellent upside and I really look forward to watching him further develop and grow as both a basketball player and human being. As an organisation, this is our first Next Star and we know our coaches have the expertise to develop Tom into a player that can make the NBA in the near future. Tom’s skill set, size and length as well as his playing experience will help the Bullets and we look forward to welcoming him to Australia.”
Digbeu said: “I am absolutely excited to have the opportunity to play with the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL. The Bullets will give me a real chance to develop as a player and as a young man. The NBL is very well known around the world for its competitiveness, and I know that I will have to play at my maximum level of effort to deserve playing time. This is what I promise to my new club and to the fans, that I will work at my top level every single day. I thank Brisbane and the NBL for this amazing opportunity.”
Photo: EuroLeague