National Basketball Association

Former Utah Jazz C Tibor Pleiss Signs With Galatasaray

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After being traded from the Utah Jazz to the Philadelphia 76ers, big man tibor Pleiss has found his way to Turkey.

As is often the case with players at the end of a team’s bench, there was a segment of the Utah Jazz fanbase that was enamored with German center Tibor Pleiss. Although he failed to develop as Jazz brass had hoped and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, his departure was definitely felt by some.

Perhaps just by myself and this guy, but I digress.

After the Jazz shipped him to Philly for what essentially amounted to extra cap space for a potential Derrick Favors extension and a roster spot for Joel Bolmboy, the Sixers promptly waived Pleiss, leaving the 26-year-old in search of a new basketball home.

Until now, that is.

According to international hoops reporter David Pick, the former Jazzman has agreed to a deal with Galatasaray Odeabank of the Turkish League and EuroLeague. Galatasaray was in need of a big man after former NBA center Nenad Krstic, who signed with the team this June, was forced to retire due to injuries.

Galatasaray to sign Tibor Pleiss to a one-year deal: https://t.co/KMnNXDU8iA pic.twitter.com/xUrpvbGASs

— Sportando (@Sportando) September 11, 2016

It had previously been reported that Pleiss was set to work out with NBA teams, including the Brooklyn Nets.

Pleiss has been with the German national team in recent weeks, looking to secure qualification for the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 championship tournament. The 7-foot-2 center has averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in three games for Germany, but has struggled from the floor, hitting 35.7 percent of his shots.

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Still, Pleiss has potential as a stretch big. He hit on 50 percent of his three-point attempts earlier this summer as part of the Jazz summer league squad and could play a big role for Galatasaray coach Ergin Ataman as his squad makes their return to EuroLeague competition next season after a one-year absence.

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