Chris Silva

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Chris Silva

| image = Chris Silva PIT.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Silva at the 2019 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament

| position = Power forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 8

| weight_lb = 234

| league = Israeli Basketball Premier League

| team = Bnei Herzliya

| number = 30

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|9|19}}

| birth_place = Libreville, Gabon

| high_school = Roselle Catholic
(Roselle, New Jersey)

| college = South Carolina (2015–2019)

| draft_year = 2019

| career_start = 2019

| years1 = {{nbay|2019|start}}–{{nbay|2020|end}}

| team1 = Miami Heat

| years2 = 2020

| team2 = →Sioux Falls Skyforce

| years3 = {{nbay|2020|end}}

| team3 = Sacramento Kings

| years4 = 2021

| team4 = Iowa Wolves

| years5 = {{nbay|2021|start}}

| team5 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| years6 = {{nbay|2021|full=y}}

| team6 = Miami Heat

| years7 = 2022

| team7 = Iowa Wolves

| years8 = 2022–2023

| team8 = College Park Skyhawks

| years9 = {{nbay|2022|end}}

| team9 = Dallas Mavericks

| years10 = 2023–2024

| team10 = College Park Skyhawks

| years11 = 2024

| team11 = Piratas de Quebradillas

| years12 = 2024

| team12 = Mets de Guaynabo

| years13 = 2024–present

| team13 = Bnei Herzliya

| highlights = * First-team All-SEC (2018)

First-team All-SEC – Coaches (2019)
SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2018)
SEC All-Defensive team (2018)

}}

Chris Silva Obame Correia Silva (born September 19, 1996) is a Gabonese professional basketball player for Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He played college basketball for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and has played in the NBA.

Early life

Silva was born in Gabon. His father, who played for the Gabon men's national basketball team, helped arrange to send Silva to the United States as a teenager to pursue a professional basketball career.{{cite news |last1=Thorpe |first1=Jacob |title=South Carolina forward Chris Silva's journey from Gabon to the Final Four |url=https://apnews.com/article/73d90e51790343e7a5b40e943266272c |access-date=September 25, 2021 |work=Associated Press News |date=April 1, 2017}}

In September 2012, when Silva was 15 years old, he arrived in the United States for the first time to enroll at Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey. Though he knew no English and had no experience playing organized basketball, he told assistant basketball coach Tommy Sacks, "Coach, I go NBA." Sacks later commented, "His ceiling is so high, one of the highest I've ever seen, because all he wants to do is get better. He wants to live in the weight room. He wants to run on his own. He wants to work out. He wants to get shots up."{{cite web|last1=Schneider|first1=Jeremy|title=From Gabon to T of C glory: The basketball journey of Roselle Catholic's Chris Silva|url=http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2998741460554782223/from-gabon-to-t-of-c-glory-the-basketball-journey-of-roselle-catholics-chris-silva/|website=The Star-Ledger|date=March 23, 2015 |accessdate=August 1, 2015}}

High school career

Initially, with the Roselle Catholic basketball team, Silva was not aware of the rules of the game. In his senior season, his team won the state championship. Silva drew interest from college basketball programs such as Seton Hall and Rhode Island, and eventually signed with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Silva said, "That's a great school, great coaches. I like everything about it, the education, the support they give to players after their career—everything."{{cite web|last1=Braziller|first1=Zach|title=The NJ hoops star from Africa: The Chris Silva saga|url=https://nypost.com/2014/09/19/the-nj-hoops-star-from-africa-the-chris-silva-saga/|website=New York Post|date=September 20, 2014 |accessdate=August 1, 2015}}

College career

In 2017 Silva started all 37 games on the Gamecocks team that reached the Final Four, and had a 2-point shooting percentage of .526 (10th in the SEC). In 2018 Silva won SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, was First-team All-SEC, and was named to the All-Defensive team.

As a junior he averaged 14.3 points and 8.0 rebounds (4th in the SEC) per game, shot 46.7 percent from the floor, and led the conference with 213 free throws. He was named 2018 First Team All-SEC (Coaches), SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and SEC All-Defensive Team. Following the season he declared for the NBA draft but did not hire an agent. Silva was not invited to the NBA combine and decided to return to South Carolina.{{cite news |last1=Hines |first1=Travis |title=Chris Silva returning to South Carolina for senior season |url=https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2018/05/21/chris-silva-returning-to-south-carolina-for-senior-season/ |accessdate=May 30, 2018 |work=NBC Sports |date=May 21, 2018}} In 2018-19 he averaged 15.2 points (9th in the SEC), 7.6 rebounds (6th), and 1.9 blocks (4th) per game. In 2019 he was named SEC Player of the Week (3/11/2019), All-SEC Second Team (AP), ABC All-District (21) Second Team, First Team All-SEC (Coaches), and All-SEC Second Team (AP).[https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Chris-Silva/Summary/83915 "Chris Silva,"] basketball.realgm.com.

Professional career

=Miami Heat (2019–2021)=

Silva was signed by the Miami Heat on July 11, 2019.{{cite web|title=HEAT Signs Martin and Silva|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-martin-and-silva|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=July 11, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2019}} On October 19, the Heat converted his deal to a two-way contract with their NBA G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.{{cite web|title=HEAT Convert Silva To Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-silva-two-way-contract|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=October 19, 2019|access-date=January 21, 2020}} On October 23, Silva made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 120–101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He finished with eight points, six rebounds, and three blocks.{{cite web|title=Butler misses Miami debut, Heat beat Grizzlies 120–101|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401160629|publisher=ESPN|date=October 23, 2019|access-date=October 23, 2019}} On January 15, 2020, Silva signed a standard NBA contract with the Heat.{{cite web|title=Chris Silva Earns NBA Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-chris-silva-011420|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=January 15, 2020|access-date=January 15, 2020}} On January 23, Silva was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce.{{cite news|first=Ira|last=Winderman|title=Heat send Chris Silva to G League for seasoning|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/heat-send-chris-silva-to-g-league-for-seasoning-20200123-xlfrfu5orvecndobgd6epbjdrq-story.html|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=January 23, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020}} On January 26, Silva was brought back up to the Miami Heat. The Heat reached the 2020 NBA Finals, but lost in 6 games to the Los Angeles Lakers. In 44 games in 2019-20 he averaged 7.9 minutes, 3.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game.

=Sacramento Kings (2021)=

On March 25, 2021, Silva and Maurice Harkless were traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Nemanja Bjelica.{{cite web|title=Kings Acquire Maurice Harkless And Chris Silva|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-acquire-maurice-harkless-and-chris-silva|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=March 25, 2021|access-date=March 25, 2021}} On April 28, he was waived by the Kings.{{cite web|title=Kings Sign Chimezie Metu To Multi-Year Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-sign-chimezie-metu-multi-year-contract|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=April 28, 2021|access-date=April 28, 2021}} He played four games with the team, averaging 2.4 minutes per game.

=Iowa Wolves (2021)=

On September 20, 2021, Silva signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.{{cite web|title=TIMBERWOLVES SIGN BRIAN BOWEN II, MATT LEWIS, ISAIAH MILLER AND CHRIS SILVA|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-sign-brian-bowen-ii-matt-lewis-isaiah-miller-and-chris-silva|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=September 20, 2021|access-date=September 20, 2021}} However, he was waived prior to the start of the season.{{cite web|title=Timberwolves Waive Brian Bowen II, Matt Lewis, Isaiah Miller And Chris Silva|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-waive-brian-bowen-ii-matt-lewis-isaiah-miller-and-chris-silva|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=October 15, 2021|access-date=October 17, 2021}} On October 26, he signed with the Iowa Wolves.{{cite web|title=Iowa Wolves Announce Training Camp Roster and Finalize Coaching Staff|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/iowa-wolves-announce-training-camp-roster-and-finalize-coaching-staff/n-5758384|website=OurSportsCentral.com|date=October 26, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021}} In 12 games, he averaged 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.8 blocks, leading the Wolves in rebounds per game and blocks per game.{{cite web|title=TIMBERWOLVES SIGN FORWARD CHRIS SILVA AND GUARD RAYJON TUCKER TO 10-DAY CONTRACTS|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-sign-chris-silva-and-rayjon-tucker|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=December 21, 2021|access-date=December 21, 2021}}

=Minnesota Timberwolves (2021)=

On December 21, 2021, Silva signed a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played on game with the team, in which he played 3.5 minutes.

=Return to Miami (2021–2022)=

On December 31, 2021, Silva signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.{{cite news |last1=Winderman |first1=Ira |title=Erik Spoelstra on Heat adding Chris Silva, Mario Chalmers, 'It's like going back in time' |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-notebook-friday-20211231-ink2a4rpgvenxaec5z2rmwcvte-story.html |access-date=December 31, 2021 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=December 31, 2021}} On January 10, 2022, he signed a second 10-day contract.{{Cite web|title=HEAT RE-SIGN KYLE GUY AND CHRIS SILVA|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-kyle-guy-chris-silva|url-status=live|access-date=January 10, 2022|publisher=National Basketball Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110193311/https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-kyle-guy-chris-silva |archive-date=January 10, 2022 }} Silva signed a third 10-day contract with the Heat on January 21.{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Luke |title=Chris Silva Signs Third 10-Day Deal With Heat |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/01/chris-silva-likely-to-sign-third-10-day-deal-with-heat.html |website=HoopsRumors |access-date=January 22, 2022 |date=January 21, 2022}} He signed a fourth 10-day contract with the Heat on January 31.{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Luke |title=Heat Sign Chris Silva To Fourth 10-Day Contract |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/01/heat-sign-chris-silva-to-fourth-10-day-contract.html |website=HoopsRumors |access-date=January 31, 2022 |date=January 31, 2022}} He played nine games with the team, in which he averaged 9.7 minutes, 2.9 points, and 3.9 rebounds per game.

=Return to Iowa (2022)=

He returned to the Iowa Wolves on February 9.{{Cite web|last=Winderman|first=Ira|date=February 9, 2022|title=Heat trade KZ Okpala to Thunder to open roster spot, restructure future pick owed to OKC|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-kz-okpala-nba-trade-20220209-6jkfuu2ifbdjbkxqemppkn3awy-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 10, 2022|website=Sun-Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209202238/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-kz-okpala-nba-trade-20220209-6jkfuu2ifbdjbkxqemppkn3awy-story.html |archive-date=February 9, 2022 }}

{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|publisher=National Basketball Association|title=2021–22 NBA G League Transactions|date=February 10, 2022|access-date=February 10, 2022}}

=College Park Skyhawks (2022–2023)=

On November 3, 2022, Silva was named to the opening night roster for the College Park Skyhawks.{{cite web|url=https://cpskyhawks.gleague.nba.com/roster|publisher=National Basketball Association|title=College Park Skyhawks Roster 2022–23|date=November 3, 2022|access-date=November 3, 2022}} With the team in 22 games he averaged 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

=Dallas Mavericks (2023)=

On January 31, 2023, the Dallas Mavericks announced that they had signed Silva to a 10-day contract.{{Cite tweet|number=1620467367980724225|user=MavsPR|author=Mavs PR|title=The Dallas Mavericks have signed Chris Silva to a 10-day contract. Silva joins Dallas after beginning the year with the G League's College Park Skyhawks, where he averaged 14.2 points (.586 FG%, .781 FT%), 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 11 regular-season games (10 starts).|date=January 31, 2023|access-date=January 31, 2023}} He signed a second 10-day contract with the team on February 10,{{Cite web |title=Mavericks Sign Chris Silva To Second 10-Day Contract |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/02/mavericks-sign-chris-silva-to-second-10-day-contract.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Hoops Rumors|date=February 10, 2023 }} but was waived just four days later, in order for the team to sign Justin Holiday instead.{{cite web | url=https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/amp/mavs_waive_chris_silva_from_10_day_contract/s1_17038_38469534 | title=Mavs Waive Chris Silva from 10-Day Contract | date=March 22, 2024 }} He played one game with the team, in which he played three minutes.

=Return to College Park (2023–2024)=

On February 14, 2023, Silva was reacquired by the College Park Skyhawks.{{cite web|title=2022–23 NBA G League Transactions|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=NBA.com|access-date=February 14, 2023}} In 25 games he averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.

On September 25, he signed with the Atlanta Hawks,{{cite tweet|first=Kevin|last=Chouinard|title=Hawks announced that they have signed Chris Silva.|number=1706398558880977005|user=KLChouinard|date=September 25, 2023|access-date=September 26, 2023}} but was waived two days later.{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Adams|title=Hawks Waive Chris Silva|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/09/hawks-waive-chris-silva.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=September 27, 2023|access-date=September 28, 2023}} On October 29, he returned to the Skyhawks.{{cite web|title=College Park Skyhawks Finalize Training Camp Schedule and Roster|url=https://cpskyhawks.gleague.nba.com/news/college-park-skyhawks-finalize-training-camp-schedule-and-roster-2|website=NBA.com|date=October 29, 2023|access-date=November 10, 2023}}

=Piratas de Quebradillas (2024)=

On April 1, 2024, Silva signed with the Piratas de Quebradillas of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.{{cite tweet|author=La Guerra del BSN|title=#BSNPR {{¡}}OFICIAL: El delantero/centro ex-NBA Chris Silva reforzará a los Piratas de Quebradillas en la temporada 2024 del BSN según informó la franquicia. Silva se integrará al equipo a partir de la segunda semana. A esos efectos, el equipo estará utilizando al veterano canastero Jeff Adrien durante la primera semana del torneo, quien sale del retiro tras jugar su último partido en el 2020. El delantero mide 6'9, tiene 27 años y viene de promediar 17.1 PPJ, 8.6 RPJ y 1.1 BPJ en 27 MPJ con el club College Park Skyhawks en la G-League. El equipo aún tiene en planes la llegada del centro Tacko Fall quien sustituirá a Silva y figura como el refuerzo principal de los Piratas.|number=1774863947880890374|user=LaGuerraBSN|date=April 1, 2024|access-date=April 2, 2024|language=Spanish}} However, he was waived on April 15 after suffering an injury.{{cite tweet|author=La Guerra del BSN|title=#BSNPR {{¡}} OFICIAL: El centro Jeremy Tyler regresa como refuerzo de los Piratas de Quebradillas en sustitución de Chris Silva quien sufrió una lesión. Tyler ya se encuentra en Puerto Rico y se reportó al equipo. El centro promedió 13.3 PPJ y 6.4 RPJ en 21.6 minutos por partido en su última actuación con los Indios de Mayagüez. 📝 @gabyquile {{¡}} @VoceroPR|number=1779907680162709974|user=LaGuerraBSN|date=April 15, 2024|access-date=April 15, 2024|language=Spanish}} He played four games, and averaged 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

=Mets de Guaynabo (2024)=

On May 20, 2024, Silva signed with the Mets de Guaynabo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.{{cite tweet|author=La Guerra del BSN|title=#BSNPR {{¡}} OFICIAL: El delantero/pívot Chris Silva es el nuevo refuerzo de los Mets de Guaynabo en sustitución de Deonte Burton. Silva militó esta temporada con los Piratas de Quebradillas donde promedió 12.8 PPJ y 7.8 RPJ durante 19.5 MPJ en cuatro partidos antes de salir por lesión.|number=1792706440869577099|user=LaGuerraBSN|date=May 20, 2024|access-date=May 21, 2024|language=Spanish}} He played seven games, and averaged 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

=Bnei Herzliya (2024–present)=

In July 2024, he signed to play for Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.[https://basketball.eurobasket.com/Israel/news/882963/Bnei-Hertzeliya-signs-Chris-Silva "Bnei Hertzeliya signs Chris Silva,"] Eurobasket.

National team career

On June 11, 2015, Silva was named to the Gabon national basketball team's preliminary squad for the AfroBasket 2015 by head coach Thierry Bouanga. It was considered a possibility that he would debut alongside ex-NBA player Stéphane Lasme. Silva would participate in a three-week training camp in Libreville in July.{{cite web|title=College prospect Silva highlights Gabon's preliminary squad|url=http://www.fiba.com/news/college-prospect-silva-highlights-gabons-preliminary-squad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612114406/http://www.fiba.com/news/college-prospect-silva-highlights-gabons-preliminary-squad|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 12, 2015|publisher=FIBA|accessdate=August 1, 2015}}