Defined as a “scot-up shooter and a versatile defender” by an old scouting report, Wenyen Gabriel didn’t have that big an impact on the NBA landscape. Apart from the 2 years he spent playing alongside LeBron James in the LA Lakers, he also had a 10-day short stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. But that did not break his spirit. He continued on his journey with the same passion he entered the league.

His attention went back to his origins – South Sudan, for whom he started playing in 2023 at the FIBA World Cup. In his debut year at the FIBA WC, he led his team brilliantly to become a global spectacle, full of wonder and amazement for the world to see. The South Sudan team made history last year, earning their Olympics 2024 berth as the best African side.

From high school to the Olympics: The rise of Wenyen Gabriel

For someone who has averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in his entire NBA career spanning 145 games, taking your team to the Olympics is not easy feat. Let’s dive deeper into the person behind the jersey.

Who is Wenyen Gabriel?

Wenyen Gabriel is a professional basketball player and a Sudanese refugee humanitarian, who is a native of Khartoum, Sudan. Since infancy, he and his family fled their Sudanese home in the ruins of a civil war in South Sudan, making him a refugee himself.

The Gabriel family fled to Egypt, where they lived for 2 years until the United Nations granted his family an appeal. Later, they relocated to New Hampshire, United States.

High School to College

In the United States, Wenyen got his high school diploma and developed his skills as a budding NBA rookie. He attended the Wilbraham & Monson Academy in 2014, after which he went straight to Kentucky.

Debuting for the Kentucky Wildcats in October 2016, he also participated in the Nike Hoop Summit, making him a five-star recruit in the Class of 2016 by ESPN.

And his journey begins

Fast forward 2 years, he declared for the NBA drafts in 2018 but went undrafted. Again, that did not shake his spirits. Rather he made space for himself in the Summer League, representing the Sacramento Kings in 2018. This paved his way into the league, where he started by signing a 2-way contract with the Kings. Unfortunately, fate had other plans, as even after getting that contract, he wasn’t able to play the entire year.

In 2020, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers along with 2 other players. There he successfully made his actual NBA debut going 0-for-3 from the field, with 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 block in just 13 minutes, defeating the Lakers 127-119 in the game.

From here on, it was again a series of jumps Wenyen made throughout his career. He went from Portland to New Orleans, Wisconsin, Brooklyn, and even the Clippers. The chain kept going on and on until he finally felt at peace in the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-2023.

Wenyen Gabriel alongside LeBron James

Gabriel joined the Lakers franchise towards the end of the 2021-2022 season, bringing in all his eccentrics and energy to be their small backup center. His strong transitions and his 6’9″ tall figure ensured he had a powerful position on the roster. He made up for his rather “undersized” demeanor when it came to being face-to-face against true centers.

That year, Anthony Davis went through a lot of injuries, unable to play. Gabriel covered for him and really managed to make an impact. So much so that, LeBron even complimented his new teammate. “He [James] was telling me that I’m a dawg and ‘you got to be physical and do those things and that’s why you’re out here on the floor.’ And he was kind of encouraging me right there. He was also saying, ‘Good job. You are a dawg.’ He was kind of reinforcing and encouraging me to do what I do best.”

Averaging 15.1 minutes per game, Gabriel was efficient 64.7% from the inside of the 3-pointer line. Without a doubt, he really had an impact on the game, even though he had limited opportunities. His best performance on the Lakers’ roster was in January during the 2022-23 season, when he stepped up, courageously, trying to take down the formidable Alperen Sengun.

In 24 minutes on the court, he managed to score an 8-point victory for the Lakers, scoring 14 points on 5-for-8 from the field, with 9 rebounds 2 blocks and a steal. For that game, Gabriel was a plus-15, certainly telling the world that he’s someone they should look out for.

But, as fate would have had it, he had to change his path yet again, to move back to Wisconsin, for a 10-day short contract with the Grizzlies. It was then, that he finally decided to play where it matters the most – representing his nation.

Gabriel’s journey to Paris

After his rather unsuccessful stint in the NBA, Gabriel moved back and started representing his home nation – South Sudan from August 2023. He was selected in the FIBA 2023 roster, making his and the team’s international debut.

Gradually, in a brief period, both he and the team made history by becoming the first of all the African nations there. Automatically, the team was granted South Sudan a ticket to Paris, again first for the team and for Gabriel.

Today, he stands tall and proud, facing LeBron James and Steph Curry at the Paris Olympics exhibition games.

Reuteres’ Aadi Nair quoted him last year. “I’m speechless right now. To be quite honest, it’s so surreal. We’re going to the Olympics. This team is a beam of light. Like I keep on saying every post game, we’re bringing unity, camaraderie, love, and friendship to this country.”

Gabriel is many shades of human. He’s not just a basketball player, he is also a 27-year-old advocate for the refugees in his home country and around the world. His primary motivation, you ask? It’s getting displaced right at the beginning of his life, never to have found the roots you need to settle down in life. Probably why he ran from one team to another in his stint in the league. “We are all victims of our circumstances” is what he said about what’s really his motivation.

He works alongside 2 non-profit organizations, the UNHCR and the Republic of South Sudan Leaders. His public recognition and achievements are helping his country to improve the lives of displaced communities.

What’s your take on Wenyen Gabriels and his brilliance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.