MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Bucks add D-League star Axel Toupane on 10-day contract

Charles F. Gardner
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Axel Toupane works out with the Bucks.

The Milwaukee Bucks filled their final roster spot Saturday when they signed French guard-forward Axel Toupane to a 10-day contract.

Toupane was playing for Raptors 905, the affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, in the NBA Development League.

The 6-foot-7 Toupane was averaging 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 28 games with Raptors 905 this season, and last year he also played for the team and was named the D-League's most improved player.

Toupane practiced with the Bucks on Saturday and will wear No. 6 for Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

"We were hoping it was going to happen but we didn't know it was going to be with Milwaukee," Toupane said. "I was just trying to learn the plays and the defense and offense.

"I take pride in defense. Every team, every coach is looking for a player that can guard multiple positions."

Toupane signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Denver Nuggets in March 2016 and eventually a multi-year deal that was not guaranteed. He was released by the Nuggets in training camp before the start of the current regular season. Toupane averaged 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds in 21 games with Denver.

"Coach (Mike Malone) put me on the floor so I had a chance to play 14 minutes every game," Toupane said. "I played every game I was there, so that's great experience."

Toupane had chances to go up against NBA stars including Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

"That was great (going against Bryant); that's my best memory so far," Toupane said.

Toupane was not selected in the 2014 NBA draft but played for Strasbourg IG in the French Pro A league from 2011-'15.

The 24-year-old Toupane played in the D-League all-star game in New Orleans last week and had one point, two assists and one rebound in 7 minutes while playing for the winning East team. He led Raptors 905 in scoring 15 times this season.

"I was in a winning team (in the D-League)," Toupane said. "I think I was efficient and I was making plays for my teammates. It was pretty good, pretty solid (his season)."

Toupane played under former Bucks player Jerry Stackhouse, who is coaching the Raptors affiliate.

The Bucks traded center Roy Hibbert to Denver for a future second-round pick Thursday, opening a spot on the 15-man roster.