Gani Lawal has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a multi-year contract worth partial salary guarantees, league sources told RealGM.

A physical, athletic forward at 6-foot-9, Lawal had a breakout professional season with Virtus Roma and received substantial interest from NBA teams entering the offseason. Ultimately, Lawal signed with a Latvian team but was pried out of the deal with the 76ers showing an increasing interest, and the 24-year-old’s representatives negotiated a release in Lithuania this week and received clearance from FIBA administration on Thursday.

Lawal averaged 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and nearly two blocks a season ago with Virtus Roma.

Out of Georgia Tech University, Lawal went in the second round of the 2010 NBA draft as the Phoenix Suns’ pick, and he was part of the San Antonio Spurs’ training camp in 2011.

Under Sam Hinkie, the 76ers retooled their roster and organization in the offseason and the acquisition of Lawal goes in line with their priority of player development.