Clippers add Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Luc Mbah A Moute to camp roster
Roster now stands at 17.n
The Clippers added a former top-five pick and a seven-year NBA veteran to bolster the frontcourt in advance of training camp.
Seven-foot center Nikoloz Tskitishvili was the Nuggets’ No. 5 overall pick in 2002, while Luc Mbah a Moute was a former UCLA standout forward who’s played in 466 NBA games, making 301 starts in stops with the Bucks, Kings, Timberwolves and 76ers.
Mbah a Moute most recently played in 67 games for Philadelphia last season, but he spent the first five years of his career in Milwaukee. He was a second-round pick of the Bucks in 2008 and has career averages of 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and an assist in 24.3 minutes per game. Mbah a Moute saw an uptick in playing time last year in Philadelphia, playing a career-high 28.6 minutes per game, which led to a career-high 9.9 points per game.
While he’s typically played power forward, he provides another versatile option for the Clippers. At 6-8, Mbah a Moute showed that last year, getting time at shooting guard, small forward and power forward for the 76ers last season. Both players were present at Friday’s media day.
“I’m excited about being here,” Mbah a Moute said. “I’ve always been able to play multiple positions. I have an ability to defend multiple positions, from point guards I’ve guarded to centers. I think having that can bring a lot to the team. The Warriors, they went small during the Finals, and that changed that whole series…It gives you that advantage to handle all kinds of situations during the game.”
After four seasons in the NBA, Tskitishvili, a native of the country of Georgia, then played in Spain, Italy, Greece, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. During his NBA career, Tskitishvili played in 172 games while making 16 starts on a total of four teams, including the Nuggets, Warriors, Timberwolves and Suns.
He averaged 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, but he went back overseas to get more playing time and experience. Tskitishvili, now 32 years old, feels more mature, stronger and more prepared both on and off the court for another chance in the NBA.
“I always wanted to play basketball, and I never gave up,” Tskitishvili said. “I’ve experienced everything. If you go through these things, it’s going to help you a lot.”
The Clippers depart for training camp in Irvine on Friday afternoon and will start camp Saturday morning. With the additions of Tskitishvili and Mbah a Moute, the roster’s currently at 17 players.
Seven-foot center Nikoloz Tskitishvili was the Nuggets’ No. 5 overall pick in 2002, while Luc Mbah a Moute was a former UCLA standout forward who’s played in 466 NBA games, making 301 starts in stops with the Bucks, Kings, Timberwolves and 76ers.
Mbah a Moute most recently played in 67 games for Philadelphia last season, but he spent the first five years of his career in Milwaukee. He was a second-round pick of the Bucks in 2008 and has career averages of 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and an assist in 24.3 minutes per game. Mbah a Moute saw an uptick in playing time last year in Philadelphia, playing a career-high 28.6 minutes per game, which led to a career-high 9.9 points per game.
While he’s typically played power forward, he provides another versatile option for the Clippers. At 6-8, Mbah a Moute showed that last year, getting time at shooting guard, small forward and power forward for the 76ers last season. Both players were present at Friday’s media day.
“I’m excited about being here,” Mbah a Moute said. “I’ve always been able to play multiple positions. I have an ability to defend multiple positions, from point guards I’ve guarded to centers. I think having that can bring a lot to the team. The Warriors, they went small during the Finals, and that changed that whole series…It gives you that advantage to handle all kinds of situations during the game.”
After four seasons in the NBA, Tskitishvili, a native of the country of Georgia, then played in Spain, Italy, Greece, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. During his NBA career, Tskitishvili played in 172 games while making 16 starts on a total of four teams, including the Nuggets, Warriors, Timberwolves and Suns.
He averaged 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, but he went back overseas to get more playing time and experience. Tskitishvili, now 32 years old, feels more mature, stronger and more prepared both on and off the court for another chance in the NBA.
“I always wanted to play basketball, and I never gave up,” Tskitishvili said. “I’ve experienced everything. If you go through these things, it’s going to help you a lot.”
The Clippers depart for training camp in Irvine on Friday afternoon and will start camp Saturday morning. With the additions of Tskitishvili and Mbah a Moute, the roster’s currently at 17 players.
O. Cauchi
@paxer89
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