Besiktas add Gabriel to their roster

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (BSL) added 29-year-old South Sudanese international center Wenyen Gabriel (208cm-1997, college: Kentucky) to their roster for the 2026-27 season. He played last season at Bayern in the German BBL league. The team competed in three different competitions that year, giving Gabriel the opportunity to experience basketball at various levels. In 35 BBL games, he averaged 8.3ppg and 4.3rpg, contributing to their regular season victory and finals appearance. Gabriel also played 36 games in the Euroleague, where he averaged 6.1ppg and 3.6rpg.
During the 2024-25 season, he split time between Panathinaikos Aktor Athens (GBL) in the Greek league and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Winner League) in the Israeli league.
He also represented South Sudan at the FIBA Olympic Games in Paris (France) two years ago. During this event, he scored an average of 5.7 points per game and had rebounds per game.
Gabriel is a highly experienced player, having played professionally on three continents (Europe, Latin America, and North America) in seven countries. He has played in Greece, Israel, Puerto Rico (Vaqueros), NBA (New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets), NBA G League (Stockton Kings, Wisconsin Herd, and Erie BH), and NBA Summer League (Sacramento Kings).
Among many awards, his team won the Greek Cup in 2025. He was also named to the SEC All-Tournament Team back in 2018 during his college years.
Gabriel graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2018 and is entering his ninth season as a professional player.

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul roster for 2026-27:

Guards:
Scottie Wilbekin
Berk Ugurlu
Furkan Korkmaz
DaQuan Jeffries
David DeJulius
Devon Dotson

Forwards:
Anthony Brown
Metecan Birsen
Conor Morgan
Eugene Omoruyi

Centers:
Ante Zizic
Mady Sissoko

Coach: Dusan Alimpijevic