Dario Hunt has moved teams in Italy after signing with Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna 103. Hunt changes teams in Italy's first division after starting the season with Virtus Roma, where he averaged 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in the first seven games of the season. Last week, Virtus Roma withdrew from Lega Basket Serie A amid financial uncertainty and the lack of a prominent main sponsor. While their long-term future is up in the air, players were released from their contracts this season, paving the way for Hunt's move to Fortitudo.
The team could use the big man's help, as they've gotten off to a 2-8 start in league play. He joins fellow Americans Adrian Banks, Tre'Shaun Fletcher, Ethan Happ, Wesley Saunders and Todd Withers on the roster.
We're in Norway for Baller of the Week, where Devin Gilligan tied his season-high in scoring while stuffing the stat sheet in his team's dominating win the Norway's Basketligaen Norge (BLNO).
Baller of the Week takes us to Turkey for the first time this season, where Grant Jerrett had a standout performance in Turkish Basketball Superleague play.
Baller of the Week is back for November! BOTW takes us to Finland, where Marcus Lewis showed up and showed out in his team's big win.
Jalen Jones, a 27-year-old swingman with NBA and NBA G League experience is taking his talents to Italy for the 2020/2021 season after signing with Pallacanestro Varese in Italy's Lega Basket SerieA. Jones is entering his fifth season of pro hoops having mostly played in the United States along with stops in Spain and Portugal.
The Texas A&M product had a prolific season last year for the Capital City GoGo, averaging 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for the Washington Wizards' NBA G League affiliate. He joins a Varese team that is off to a 2-5 start in SerieA despite having former NBA players in Luis Scola and Toney Douglas, and Jones will be looked to contribute immediately on both sides of the floor. In addition to Douglass, Americans Anthony Morse and Jason Rich are also on this year's team.
Erik McCree will return to BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque after signing with the French team for the rest of the 2020-2021 season. After starting the season with Bakken Bears in Denmark (playing in two games, including one in the Basketball Champions League, ), the fourth-year pro will return to a Gravelines team he played for last season.
McCree averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game for Gravelines-Dunkerque, and that offense will be needed for a team that currently sits near the bottom of the LNB Pro A standings after starting the season with a 1-4 record. The Louisiana Tech product joins fellow Americans Corey Davis, Quincy Ford and Cameron Wells on the roster.
James Blackmon Jr. will continue his pro career in Turkey after signing with Besiktas J.K. in the country's top division. Blackmon joins Besiktas having played in Italy for the past two seasons after starting his pro career in the NBA G League. He spent last season with Aquila Basket Trento, where the 6'4 guard averaged 13.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, which included competing in the 7Days EuroCup.
He signs with a Besiktas team that is looking for a bit of a boost after an 0-4 start to the Turkish Basketball Super League. Besiktas will also need reinforcements since they're also competing in the FIBA Europe Cup. Blackmon joins fellow Americans Isaiah Blackmon, Markell Johnson and De'Jon Davis on this season's roster. |