BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers have officially signed 19-year-old rookie Vincent Gave to their roster. The move was announced early Tuesday morning in a press release that caught even some insiders off guard. Gave, a relatively unknown name in mainstream basketball circles just a year ago, has rapidly ascended into the spotlight following a breakout performance during the international circuit and pre-draft private workouts. The Lakers, a franchise synonymous with championships, stars, and iconic legacies, now appear to be investing heavily in youth once again, possibly setting the stage for a new generation of purple and gold success. For Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick, the decision to bring Gave aboard is more than a simple roster addition—it signals a philosophical pivot and a calculated gamble on upside and future stardom.
Vincent Gave’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. A dual-national with roots in France and Senegal, Gave spent his teenage years training in elite European development academies before making a splash in the FIBA U19 World Cup, where he led his national team to a bronze medal while averaging 17.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Scouts were intrigued not just by the stat lines, but by how he got them—combining explosiveness off the dribble with a deceptively smooth outside shot, all wrapped in a 6-foot-7 frame with a wingspan touching seven feet. Gave’s athletic profile and instincts screamed modern NBA wing potential, but his limited exposure in the American basketball pipeline meant he was a late riser on draft boards. Nevertheless, the Lakers clearly saw something they liked. While other teams debated his readiness or positional fit, Los Angeles swooped in and quietly prioritized him in internal discussions months before the draft.
Though Gave went undrafted due to concerns over age, competition level, and adaptability to the NBA’s physicality, he dominated in private workouts. Multiple team executives who witnessed those sessions described him as “unguardable in space” and “already ahead of some second-year players in decision-making.” The Lakers front office, known in recent years for blending veteran savvy with developmental bets, had a decision to make: spend limited cap space on another fringe veteran to chase a title now or invest in a prospect who might blossom under the right mentorship. The Lakers chose the latter, confident that Gave’s basketball IQ, humility, and relentless motor would translate faster than skeptics expect.
In Summer League play, Gave wasted no time validating the Lakers’ decision. Over five games, he averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. More impressively, he frequently drew the opponent’s best defender and still managed to get his numbers within the flow of the offense. His ability to crash the glass, push the ball in transition, and make the extra pass reminded Lakers fans of a young Lamar Odom with a touch more scoring aggression. Defensive lapses and occasional over-dribbling were there, yes, but expected of a 19-year-old still acclimating to the game’s speed. The upside, though, was unmistakable. Gave’s minutes consistently closed games for the Summer League squad, and whispers soon followed that the main roster had already been instructed to prepare for his presence during training camp.
The Lakers’ decision also reflects a broader organizational shift. With LeBron James entering the twilight of his career and Anthony Davis still central but often hampered by injury concerns, the franchise has been recalibrating its timeline. Pelinka, who has operated under immense pressure during the LeBron era, seems intent on bridging the present and future more cohesively. The drafting of Dalton Knecht and the continued development of Max Christie were early signs, but Gave’s addition drives the point home: the Lakers are no longer chasing only star-studded short-term solutions. They are now focused on sustainable development, even if it means living with some rookie mistakes in the short run. Gave’s deal reportedly includes multiple team options, giving the Lakers both flexibility and control—something that’s been missing during prior windows of contention.
For Gave himself, the opportunity couldn’t be more monumental. Growing up in Dakar before moving to Lyon at age 10, basketball was not just a sport—it was an escape. His mother, a nurse who worked long shifts to provide for the family, always emphasized discipline, education, and purpose. Gave carried those values onto the court, where he quickly became known for his tireless work ethic. By 14, he was already competing against players four years older. By 17, he was invited to the Nike Hoop Summit, where he first caught the eyes of American scouts. His path to the NBA wasn’t paved by viral mixtapes or celebrity AAU runs. It was carved through grinding, repetition, and humility—qualities that have made him a favorite among player development coaches and international scouts alike.
In his first comments after signing with the Lakers, Gave said, “Wearing this jersey is not just a dream, it’s a responsibility. I know the history. I know the legends. I want to be worthy of it.” That sense of historical awareness will likely resonate with Lakers fans, who’ve long cherished players that understood the legacy they were stepping into. It’s not lost on Gave that he’ll be sharing a locker room with LeBron James, a living legend. Nor is he unaware that scrutiny will come fast and heavy in a city where basketball isn’t just a pastime—it’s a daily obsession. But those close to Gave say he is uniquely built for this moment. “He doesn’t talk much, but he absorbs everything. He’s like a sponge,” said one of his former European coaches. “If you give him the keys, he’ll drive. Just don’t be surprised how far he goes.”
The signing also comes at a crucial juncture in the Lakers’ roster construction. With several questions looming over guard depth, backup wings, and bench scoring, Gave provides a cost-effective option who might outperform his deal as early as this season. While it remains unlikely that he’ll start games out of the gate, insiders suggest that Redick is exploring second-unit lineups that would allow Gave to initiate some offense while defending multiple positions. His combination of length, vision, and agility makes him a versatile chess piece—exactly the kind of player today’s NBA prioritizes. If he continues on this trajectory, don’t be surprised to see him closing games by midseason, especially if injuries or load management decisions open the door.
Former players and current analysts have also weighed in on the move. Jalen Rose described Gave as “a potential Swiss Army knife on both ends,” while Kendrick Perkins said on-air, “Look, I’ve seen a lot of hype around European kids, but this one has some dog in him. The Lakers might’ve found a real one here.” That praise is still early, yes, but it underscores the buzz forming around Gave from people who’ve seen rookies flame out and stars emerge. The key now is consistency—both from Gave and from the Lakers’ developmental infrastructure, which must nurture rather than overburden the young rookie with unrealistic expectations.
Off the court, Gave is already turning heads with his poise and focus. He’s reportedly been the first in and last out at team facilities, spending hours working with assistant coaches and veteran players. He’s also been vocal about wanting to give back to communities in both Los Angeles and back home in Senegal, particularly by creating basketball clinics for underprivileged kids. In an era where NBA players are expected to be more than athletes, Gave seems determined to embody that ethos from day one. His agent, a longtime advocate for African talent, called him “one of the most grounded teenagers I’ve ever worked with.”
It’s far too early to declare Gave the next Kobe Bryant or even the next Austin Reaves, but what is clear is that the Lakers have made a decision rooted in vision rather than vanity. They see something special in this teenager—a glimmer of what could be a cornerstone if developed properly. For a franchise that has lived through both the heights of Showtime and the lows of the post-Kobe rebuild, Gave represents a different kind of hope. One that’s not based on free-agent splash or blockbuster trades, but on the pure, unfiltered potential of a young man who’s hungry to make his mark.
Now, it’s up to Gave to seize the moment. The pressure will be immense. The expectations will be unforgiving. But if his past is any indicator, he’s never needed anyone’s permission to rise—just the opportunity. And with the Lakers officially handing him that opportunity, the basketball world will be watching every step of his journey. One that, if early signs hold, might just lead to something unforgettable in the city of angels.
