Milwaukee Bucks: 3 players that are impressing early for Wisconsin Herd

Wenyen Gabriel has been impressive for the Wisconsin Herd early on and looks like he could be useful to the Milwaukee Bucks

Wenyen Gabriel was an interesting signing for the Herd from the very moment it was announced. The big man has had three unsuccessful stops at the NBA level, never getting a legitimate chance to showcase what he brings to the table. Bringing him in was a low-risk move for the Herd, and the early returns have been incredibly promising on the big man.

Over his first three games with the Herd, Gabriel has averaged 16.3 points while leading the team in rebounds with 8.3 per game. While his scoring and rebounding have both been fantastic, Gabriel is also having a sizable impact on the defensive side of the basketball by averaging 1.7 steals and a team-best 1.7 blocked shots on average. His two-way play has played a significant factor in the Herd’s red-hot start as the 24-year-old continues to dominate early.

While three games are undeniably a small sample size to judge a player, Gabriel looks like a player that could realistically earn himself an NBA deal at some point this season. He is showing that he can contribute in meaningful minutes, and the high-energy play he brings to the floor would be a valuable thing to have for countless franchises. One of which could even be the Bucks, who are in a difficult spot regarding their frontcourt depth as starting center Brook Lopez continues to sit on the sidelines with back soreness.

Could Gabriel realistically get an opportunity to play with the Bucks as Lopez’s back issues persist? It is possible, but it is also just a thought at the moment. If the big man continues playing as he has to begin the 2021-22 season, the team might be forced to give it some serious consideration. The potential is there for Gabriel to be an impactful NBA player, and he will be fascinating to watch as the season progresses, especially if the Milwaukee Bucks’ center issues continue.