SEATTLE -- Mickael Gelabale and his distinguishable
dreadlocks might have pocketed more money staying in Europe.
Instead, he's coming to the NBA and adding to an influx of French
flair on the Seattle SuperSonics' roster.
Gelabale, the Sonics' second-round pick in the 2005 draft,
signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with Seattle on Wednesday.
The first $200,000 of his deal will go to help pay a $700,000
buyout of his contract with Real Madrid, with the rest paid by the
Sonics.
Gelabale was making 500,000 euros per year untaxed -- about
$637,000 -- playing in Spain, his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, said.
Gelabale turned down an extension with Real Madrid earlier this
year.
"In my head I was thinking I'd stay two years in Madrid and
then make the leap," Gelabale said with Ndiaye translating. "In
March, I really made the choice to come into the league."
Along with Gelabale, the Sonics' roster now includes three
French-speaking players, joining Seattle's last two first-round
picks -- centers Johan Petro and Mouhamed Sene.
The 6-foot-7 Gelabale, known for his athleticism, arrived in
Seattle on Tuesday night and was planning to return to Paris on
Thursday to rejoin the French national team in preparations for
next month's world championships in Japan. Gelabale was a starter
for the French during the 2005 European championships.
Gelabale played two years with Real Madrid, but his playing time
was inconsistent this past season. Once Real Madrid officials heard
of Gelabale's interest in leaving for the NBA, his time on the
floor decreased, said David Pendergraft, Seattle's director of
basketball operations.
Gelabale averaged 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds playing 23.1
minutes per game this past season.
"It was frustrating not having the same playing time as the
first year," Gelabale said. "But now it's the next step."
The likelihood of bringing Gelabale over from Europe allowed the
Sonics to draft the inexperienced Sene with the No. 10 pick in last
month's draft. Seattle passed on experienced college players such
as Ronnie Brewer and Rodney Carney, both of whom were available at
No. 10, but have similar styles to Gelabale.
Before the draft, two teams offered late first-round picks to
Seattle in exchange for Gelabale, Pendergraft said.
"If we took a swing it would be tough for them to be that much
better than Mickael," Pendergraft said. "He's probably ahead of
most anybody we could have gotten in the draft as far as playing in
the big arena."
The 23-year-old Gelabale is listed at 215 pounds although
appears much thinner, and acknowledges that improving his strength
will be the biggest initial adjustment to the NBA. Pendergraft
hopes that playing in the world championships will help make up for
the lack of playing time he received with Real Madrid.
Gelabale is expected to arrive back in Seattle in mid-September.
"I think it's huge," Pendergraft said. "You're thrown out
there with the best in the world and I know he's really looking
forward to it."