MoraBanc Andorra Signs Sir'Jabari Rice from Nymburk
American guard Sir'Jabari Rice arrives in Barcelona for medical ahead of official announcement, filling key perimeter role after Castañeda injury.
Key Points
- Rice averaged 18.6 pts, 60% 2PT, 42% 3PT in 11 BCL games with Nymburk.
- In Czech NBL: 14.8 pts, 4.2 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.5 stl, 20 efficiency over 23 games.
- Replaces injured Castañeda; follows failed Macon pursuit and coaching change to Tabak.
- Roster trim likely targets Udeze; Pustovyi untouchable amid big injuries.
MoraBanc Andorra has finalized the signing of American combo guard Sir'Jabari Rice from Czech side ERA Nymburk, with the 1.93m player arriving in Barcelona yesterday ahead of a medical check and official announcement today or tomorrow.
The 26-year-old Texan, born on 28 December 1998 in Houston, brings European experience from his debut season with Nymburk. In 11 Basketball Champions League appearances, he has averaged 18.6 points on 60% two-point shooting and 42% from three, plus 3.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds over 26.1 minutes. In the Czech Mattoni NBL across 23 games, his figures include 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 20.3 minutes, with a 20 efficiency rating. Rice, who began in NCAA at Missouri City and New Mexico State before stints in the G League, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and with Austin Spurs and South Bay Lakers, fills the perimeter creator role urgently needed after Xavier Castañeda's injury.
The deal, first reported by basketball journalist Chema de Lucas and confirmed across outlets, runs through the end of the season. It follows a failed pursuit of Darryl Macon from Greek club Maroussi, which collapsed due to resistance from his then-team; Macon joined Dinamo Sassari instead. That led to Castañeda's short-lived signing, Joan Plaza's dismissal, and Žan Tabak's appointment as coach. Under Tabak, with whom he previously worked in Poland, Aaron Best has solidified his spot despite earlier doubts.
Rice's addition requires trimming the roster, likely from the frontcourt amid injuries to Kostas Kostadinov and Castañeda. Sources point to Morris Udeze as a possible cut, though Ukrainian center Artem Pustovyi is untouchable; the choice depends on market options for other bigs. The move comes during the pause for Copa del Rei and FIBA window games, where MoraBanc players featured: Brazil's Rafa Luz with 4 points and 11 assists in a win, Canada's Best with 2 points, France's Yves Pons with 3, and Ukraine's Pustovyi with 2 in a 66-86 loss to Spain.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: