The addition of veteran forward Trevor Ariza and the subtraction of payroll headlined last week’s trade between the Trail Blazers and Kings. Underneath the names of Kent Bazemore and Ariza was Wenyen Gabriel. Undrafted out of Kentucky, Gabriel has clawed his way through the NBA’s hierarchy, leading to the conversion of his two-way contract. That odds-defying journey is impressive in and of itself, but it is far from the most inspiring part of Gabriel’s path to the Blazers.
From his birth, Gabriel’s story is one of inspiration and promise.