The Brooklyn Nets added an international big man to their “Big Three” lineup on Thursday, signing free agent center Norvel Pelle to a contract.
Pelle, who turns 28 on Wednesday, will add rebounding depth, defensive skill and a talent for shot blocking to a squad that boasts superstar guards James Harden and Kyrie Irving plus two-time Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant at forward.
Pelle, who stands 6-foot-10 (2.08m), was born in Antigua and also holds American and Lebanese citizenship.
OFFICIAL 📝 The Nets have signed free-agent center Norvel Pelle!
▪️▫️ Welcome to BK, @NorvelPelle05 ▫️▪️ pic.twitter.com/GHW0EQdkhL
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 28, 2021
His family moved to the US Virgin Islands when he was three and four years later moved to the United States.
Pelle debuted for Lebanon’s national team in the 2017 Asia Cup and has played professionally in Taiwan, Lebanon and Italy.
He spent the 2019-20 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, coming off the bench in 24 games and averaging 2.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in 9.7 minutes per game.
Pelle blocked two or more shots in 11 appearances, including a season-best four blocks against the New York Knicks, and played against Boston in the Sixers’ first-round playoff series.
The move adds another key piece to help the Nets in versatile matchups as they contend for an NBA title. Brooklyn is 12-8 this season, 1.5 games behind the first-place 76ers in the Eastern Conference.