The Atlanta Hawks’ second round pick, Alpha Kaba, will not be playing with the team next season.
It has been confirmed that Alpha Kaba, the 60th pick in June’s NBA Draft, has signed with ASVEL of the French Pro A League. After reportedly deciding between staying in the NBA and returning to France, Kaba will be continuing his career overseas officially as a draft and stash prospect.
Alpha Kaba’s agent confirms that he is signing a three year deal with the French club. San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker serves as the president of the ASVEL team, which plays in the prestigious French League known as one of the best in the world. Tony Parker said this pertaining to Kaba per Chris Vivlamore’s story.
"“It is a great satisfaction to have been able to sign Alpha, a young but already productive and promising interior that is part of a long-term project with us,” Parker said in a translated statement. “The fact that he signed three years is a continuation of our desire to retain the players and to have a real identity to which our public and our partners can join. Alpha will be the last rookie of our offseason and will complete an ambitious and competitive workforce on our two major objectives: the French championship and the EuroCup.”"
Congrats to Alpha Kaba for his multi-year deal with @ASVEL_Basket ! #BeoBasket
— Pedja Materic (@PedjaMateric) July 28, 2017
The Atlanta Hawks will continue to hold Alpha Kaba’s draft rights, and he can join the team in the state’s in the future whenever he feels to do so. It was clear in the Las Vegas Summer League that Kaba still needs work on his game before he is ready for the NBA workload. Playing in France will give him a great opportunity to further himself and improve his game.