Mfiondu Kabengele released by AEK, signed by Venezia / News - Basketnews.com

Mfiondu Kabengele has played his last game with AEK Athens, since the Greek club decided to let him go. The Canadian big man has signed a deal with Venezia until the end of the season.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Mfiondu Kabengele and AEK Betsson Athens have parted ways, the Greek club announced Tuesday.

Points this season

49%88,0Points made:88,0Accuracy:49,2%Place in standings:2Record max:110Record min:79Best scorer:Justin TillmanTeamBCLStatisticsSchedule

Just an hour later, Umana Reyer Venezia announced that it has reached an agreement with the player until the end of the season.

Over the last few days, the case the 26-year-old center came to the fore for Venezia, even though the player did not have a release clause in his contract with the 2018 BCL winners.

Kabengele had a pivotal role in coach Joan Plaza's system. In the BCL, he averaged 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, while in the Greek Basket League he produced 14 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

In its official announcement, AEK explained that Kabengele was the sole responsible for the contract termination by "putting himself out of the team."

"Our philosophy is non-negotiable," the press release reads.

"With our team stay those who are aligned with our goals and ambitions, those who believe in our plan and those who respect their coaches, fellow athletes and the fans of AEK.

We inform our fans that his replacement will be announced in the next few days. Our goals in Greece and Europe always remain of the highest order."

Asked by sportal's Christos Tsaltas about his contract status with AEK, Kabengele commented:

"A lot of people send me messages about what's been released. My agent is the one handling this. Right now I'm focusing on what I'm doing over here," he said.

Initially, it seemed that the former NBA forward would join AEK in their last outing in 2023, an away game against Lavrio for the Greek league. However, the club decided to part ways with the athlete much sooner.

Kabengele played three years at Florida State, reaching the Elite Eight in 2018 and the Sweet 16 in 2019 and finishing the NCAA Tournament with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.

In the summer of 2019 he was chosen in the NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets with number 27, and was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers with whom he made his NBA debut.

In June 2022, following his impressive performances in the Summer League, he signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. In March 2023 he was voted G League Player of the Week after recording 27 points, 16.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists with the Maine Celtics.

So far, AEK have secured a spot in the BCL TOP16 and also in the Final 8 of the Greek Cup, scheduled for 15-18 February.

However, they have already lost Ben McLemore to Rio Breogan, while Mindaugas Kuzminskas suffered a fracture in the recent domestic game against Peristeri and will be sidelined for more than one month.

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