Before the decisive months of the season, the Bayern basketball team has once again added to it's squad. US professional Zylan Cheatham, the 27-year-old winger, joins the Cup winner, signing a contract valid until the end of the season and has already completed the final medical checks.
The athletic US international (six NBA appearances) moves from the NBA G League to Munich and could also be registered for the EuroLeague by Bayern shortly before the transfer deadline. Cheatham played until the end of February in Alabama for the New Orleans Hornets farm team Birmingham Squadrons (14.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.1 apg), . After his college years he had five short stints in the NBA (New Orleans, Utah).
Relief after Rubit's injury
Munich is reacting to injury issues and have added this talented forward to help fill a need. Augustine Rubit, who earned acclaim for his play especially in the Euroleague, injured himself two weeks ago in the Cup semifinals (Achilles tendon, out for the season) while power forward colleague Elias Harris (foot) has been missing since the end of January and still needs some time to heal.
"Zylan is a modern combo big who has incredible athleticism and great versatility on defense and will also contribute extensively on offense," said FCBB Sports Director Daniele Baiesi. "He was immediately excited to begin his overseas career with us and we are equally excited to have him join us."
"Modern Combo big-man"
Zylan Cheatham, who arrived in Munich last Thursday afternoon and in the hall in the evening for the second quarter of the Belgrade game (87-80), will wear jersey number 45.
„"Cash, friends and everyone I talked to advised me to make this move to Munich. This is the right place for me now."”
Zylan Cheatham
His first statement: "It all happened very quickly but with this option I didn't have to think long; especially because of the possibility to play in the EuroLeague. I've always been waiting to play at the highest level of basketball, and in terms of competitiveness, that's the top level."
The Phoenix, Arizona native says, "I'm versatile on the court, bringing energy, rebounding, scoring and passing. I can defend many positions, always play hard and communicate at all times. I will take on any challenge here and know it will take some time. I want to learn everything and succeed."
Chat with Cash
Cheatham previously had contact with Cassius Winston, whom he played against in the G League as well as FCBB's second steadily rising European rookie, Freddie Gillespie. He knows Nick Weiler-Babb from high school duels. "Cash, friends and everyone I've talked to have advised me to make this move to Munich. This is the right place for me now."
Zylan Cheatham will wear number 45. (c) Pahnke
Zylan Cheatham, a father to a son for three months, first played in college for San Diego State (15.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and his senior year for the Arizona State Sun Devils (12.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg). Undrafted in the 2019 draft, he worked his way onto the Hornets' roster via camps and NBA Summer League (debut in November 2019).
2022 for Team USA
In late 2020, Cheatham landed with the Timberwolves via trades, ultimately playing on the farm team there. In January 2022, he received another short contract in Utah (1 NBA call up), the following month in New Orleans. In the development NBA G-League, he made 119 appearances in three and a half years with a scoring average of 13.8 plus 8.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
In 2022, Zylan Cheatham was on Team USA, which finished with bronze at the AmeriCup in Brazil (8.3 ppg). Despite being nominated for the squad, he did not make any further appearances in the World Cup qualifiers.
ZYLAN CHEATHAM
(17th November 1995, Phoenix/USA)
Forward – 6ft6– 225 lbs
- 2015 – 2017: San Diego State University (NCAA)
- 2018 – 2019: Arizona State University (NCAA)
- 2019 – 2020: New Orleans Hornets, Birmingham Squadron (NBA, NBA G League)
- 2020 – 2021: Iowa Wolves, Birmingham Squadron (NBA G League)
- 2021 – 2022: Birmingham Squadron, Utah Jazz, Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G League, NBA)
- 2022 – 2/2023: Birmingham Squadron (NBA G League)
Awards/achievements
- „Most Outstanding Player“ Diamond Head Classic 2016 (NCAA)
- First-team All-Pac-12 Conference 2019 (NCAA)
- All-Defensive Team Pac-12 Conference 2019 (NCAA)
- Bronze medal Team USA 2022