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jul 09 2026Chuma Okeke will continue at Real Madrid next season. The club had an option to terminate his contract until July 5, but ultimately decided not to exercise it, keeping the American power forward tied to the team through 2027.
The decision comes with Pedro Martínez now at the helm. The head coach has approved the continuity of a player who fits part of his vision: a mobile four, strong defender, capable of spacing the floor and with the legs to play at a high pace.
Okeke arrived at Real Madrid last summer following his NBA stint and experienced his first season in Europe. In EuroLeague, he appeared in 43 games, 32 of them as a starter, averaging 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 38.6% from three-point range. In the ACB, limited by his non-EU status, he played less: 25 games, with 6.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 38.2% from beyond the arc.
The main issue remains his passport. Although he obtained Nigerian citizenship, Real Madrid has still not been able to register him as such, so for now he will continue to occupy a non-EU roster spot. This could again limit his availability in domestic competitions, especially if Gabriel Deck does not complete his process to obtain Spanish citizenship in time.
With Trey Lyles' departure to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the arrival of Jaime Pradilla, the power forward position remains one of the areas to monitor in the club's roster. Okeke stays, but Real Madrid's market activity could still see more moves.
