Our Warrior: Weber signs with Golden State
Briante Weber (center) filled the stat sheet with his 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals. (Photo by Amber-Lynn Taber)
VCU legend and former point-guard Briante Weber signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors over the weekend.
The signing was made official and announced by the Warriors Saturday morning. The two-time-defending Western Conference Champions cut 34-year-old journeyman center Anderson Varejao to make room for Weber on the roster.
Weber was named the NBA Development-league player of the month in December and January. During that stretch, Weber averaged staggering numbers for the Sioux Falls Skyforce — 21.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 3.6 steals per game while shooting 54 percent from the field and 51 percent from beyond the arc.
Weber’s career has come full circle since he suffered a ghastly knee injury which cost him the lion’s share of his senior season with the Rams as well as a shot at breaking the NCAA all-time steals record.
“Two years ago, this was me.” Weber tweeted last Thursday above a picture of himself in a hospital gown after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus. “I’m back and I’m better. #NewBeginning.”
2 years ago this was me. Im back and im better #NewBeginning anniversary pic.twitter.com/RopTSnGrH5
— Briante Weber (@Sir_deuce2) February 1, 2017
The 24-year-old Weber is expected to provide backcourt depth for a ‘Dubs squad that has been without the services of guard Shaun Livingston for the past two games due to a back injury.
The Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets reportedly also expressed interest in Weber.
“He’s kind of small, but he gives you something at both ends,” said one unnamed Western Conference scout to CSN Bay Area. “He (Weber) has a very good chance to stick, if not with the Warriors then with somebody else.”
Weber dressed out but did not play for the Warriors in their 109-106 loss Saturday night at the hands of the Sacramento Kings.
“I’ve just been trying to work back,” Weber said to SFGATE after the Warriors’ shootaround Saturday. “I have my foot in the door. Now it’s about me staying and finding a home.”
As the heart and soul of the initial rise of VCU Men’s Basketball to the national stage, Weber is still widely regarded as the face of ‘HAVOC’ due to the tenacious and relentless attitude he continues to exude on the court today.
RamNation will always have a soft spot for our Bri, and seeing him back-up perennial MVP candidate Stephen Curry just two years after blowing out his knee is about as good as it gets.
Zach Joachim
Zach is a junior pursuing a dual degree in print journalism and English. A proud Norfolk-ian, he enjoys long walks on the beach, English literature of the romantic period and anything pertaining to Harry Potter or baseball. Zach an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan who can usually be found working at the Student Media Center or running along the James.
Facebook | joachimz@commonwealthtimes.org
