FRA - Khimki hoping for spark from Gelabale
MOSCOW (Eurocup/Olympics) – France international Mickael Gelabale could return to action from injury by the middle of January and play for BC Khimki in the Eurocup and the Russian PBL. The club has agreed to terms with the sharpshooter, who had expected to be with Belgacom Spirou this season but was prevented from playing for the Charleroi outfit ...
MOSCOW (Eurocup/Olympics) – France international Mickael Gelabale could soon return to action from injury and play for BC Khimki in the Eurocup and the Russian PBL.
The club has agreed to terms with the sharpshooter, who had expected to be with Belgacom Spirou this season but was prevented from playing for the Charleroi outfit because of a right ankle injury.
Victor Bychkov, the BC Khimki General Manager, says the club has signed an agreement but clarified that it has yet to kick in.
"It is known that Gelabale didn't play a game due to injury after the European Championship, so we should speak about him as a BC Khimki player only after he passes a medical examination," Bychkov said.
"At the end of the week, Gelabale arrives in Khimki, and we hope that all the formalities will be settled by Saturday."
Gelabale will be hoping to make his Olympic debut next summer in London.
He was a key man for France in their group games at the EuroBasket, helping the team win its first six games.
Gelabale, who played in the NBA with Seattle and has evolved into a terrific perimeter threat in his career, made 12 of 20 (63.6%) shots from behind the arc in France’s unbeaten start in Lithuania but the sprained ankle kept him out of games against Lithuania and Spain.
The 28-year-old played sparingly the rest of the way as Les Bleus reached the Final and qualified for the Olympics.
Contracted to Charleroi, Gelabale parted with the Belgian club in order to concentrate on his recovery.
Khimki have needed a small forward since the departure of Keith Langford last summer to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
"We didn't rush to close it (the vacancies left by Langford’s departure) but carefully searched for suitable candidates," Khimki coach Rimas Kurtinaitis said.
"Gelabale is perfectly suitable for us.
"The only problem we may face is that he has been without match practice for a long time due to injury.
"Therefore, the contract will enter into force only after the results of medical examination."
FIBA