On March 2, 2021, Festus Ezeli officially returned to professional basketball after a five-year hiatus. The former first-round pick of the Golden State Warriors signed a contract with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League, marking his triumphant return to the hardwood.
Ezeli was drafted 30th overall in 2012 by the Golden State Warriors out of Vanderbilt University. He played three seasons with the team, making one playoff appearance and winning a championship in 2015. After leaving the Warriors in 2016, he spent time with the Portland Trail Blazers and Santa Cruz Warriors, before succumbing to debilitating knee injuries that required multiple surgeries and forced him into early retirement.
But after five years of grueling rehab and medical treatments, Ezeli is ready for another shot at professional basketball. He joins fellow Vandy alumni Wade Baldwin IV on the Westchester Knicks roster; Baldwin was also a first-round pick for Memphis in 2016. With them both on board, it’s sure to be an exciting season for Knicks fans as Ezeli and Baldwin look to make their mark in the G League this year.
Ezeli’s journey back to basketball has been long and arduous, but his resilience has been remarkable throughot it all. After such an extended absence from professional basketball, it will be interesting to see how he fares against seasoned veterans of G League play this season. His determination and work ethic have gotten him this far – now let’s see if he can turn that into success on the court!
What Has Happened to Festus Ezeli?
Festus Ezeli is now playing for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. After a five-year hiatus due to multiple injuries and difficult recoveries, Ezeli signed with the team on March 2, 2021. He is looking to make a big impact on the G League and contribute to the Knicks’ success.
Drafting of Festus Ezeli
Festus Ezeli was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2012 as the 30th overal pick in the first round of the NBA draft. Before being drafted, Ezeli played college basketball at Vanderbilt University, where he helped the Commodores reach the NCAA Tournament in 2007. After being drafted by the Warriors, Ezeli went on to play for them for four seasons before joining the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016. He then played for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G League for one season before retiring from basketball in 2018.
Retirement of Festus Ezeli
No, Festus Ezeli has not retired. He recently signed a contract with the G League’s Westchester Knicks, indicating that he is attempting an NBA comeback. Ezeli last played in an NBA game during the 2017 NBA Finals and has been out of the league since then. He is now lookng to make a return to the NBA and has taken a step towards doing so by joining the Westchester Knicks.
Conclusion
Festus Ezeli is a professional basketball player who has experienced a long and difficult journey in his career. After five years of dealing with multiple injuries and difficult recoveries, Ezeli has returned to the court by signing a contract with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. Throughout his career, Ezeli has played with teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State Warriors, and Vanderbilt Commodores. His return to the court is sure to bring something special to the game and will be an incredible sight to behold. With his determination and resilience, Festus Ezeli is sure to becme one of basketball’s most beloved players.
