San Antonio Spurs Sign Free Agent Center

The San Antonio Spurs have signed free agent center Nathan Mensah to a training camp deal. Mensah is 26 years old and spent last season splitting time between the Charlotte Hornets and Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League.

Mensah played for the Spurs in the Summer League and will likely sign with the Austin Spurs for the regular season, although a strong training camp could earn him the third and final two-way contract. The Spurs currently have David Duke Jr. and Harrison Ingram signed to two-way deals, but after waiving Jamaree Bouyea, the Spurs have one open spot.

Mensah played in 25 games for the Hornets last season. In limited action, he averaged 1.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks. In the Summer League, he found some success, increasing his averages to 6.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in six games.

Mensah is not and has never been an outside shooting threat, but his 7-5 wingspan makes him an impressive figure under the basket. He is able to guard multiple positions and can hold his own on the perimeter, although his NBA viability is yet to be seen.

At 26 years old, Mensah is well past the age of most second-year players looking for a two-way contract, and the younger Ingram, Duke Jr., Sidy Cissoko, and Brandon Boston Jr. will all likely see more minutes than him.

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In training camp, he will likely be used as a shot-blocker to help prepare the Spurs for the tallest competition the Western Conference has to offer, including rookies Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan.