‘Born Ready’ is heading overseas.
Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson will play in either China or Italy during the NBA lockout, according to his agent.
“We’re working on a couple things and we’ve narrowed it down to Italy and China for now,” Alberto Ebanks told SNY.tv by phone. “He’s excited about just getting a run going while the lockout is in place. I think it’s important to stay in basketball shape so he’s about to bust a move.”
One key element of the deal would be a clause allowing Stephenson, the former Lincoln High School star who played sparingly as a rookie with the Pacers, to return to the NBA as soon as the lockout ends.
“It could happen shortly, it could happen in the next month,” Ebanks said.
Nets point guard Deron Williams, who is playing for Besiktas in Turkey, has such a clause in his agreement.
Ebanks also represents former Tennessee standout Scottie Hopson, who is also heading to Europe.
“Scottie is certainly going to be going to Europe,” Ebanks said. “It’s almost a foregone conclusion. We’ve narrowed it to a couple of clubs that we’re talking to and that’s where he’s going to start his career.”
The 6-7 Hopson averaged 17 points and 3.3 rebounds as a junior at Tennessee, and went undrafted in last month’s NBA Draft.
ST. JOHN’S HORNE TO GERMANY
Former St. John’s wing Paris Hornebecame the first member of the Class of 2011 to be inked to a professional contract when he signed with German squad BG Gottingen of the BBL.
Located in Northern Central Germany, BG Gottingen is a member of the German Bundesliga, the premier basketball association in that nation. League play runs from October to June, and coincides with an international competition called the EuroChallenge, which BG Gottingen won in 2010. The EuroChallenge features the top teams from across Europe in a tournament setting, where Horne and his squad may face Besiktas, the Turkish squad of Nets star Deron Williams.
Former Big East rival Ben Hansbrough, the conference’s 2011 Player of the Year from Notre Dame, has also signed with a team in the German Bundesliga.
“We are pleased that Paris has received this well-deserved opportunity to play professional basketball,” said St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin. “Paris will add true value to his new team as he is one of the hardest workers and best defenders that I’ve had the opportunity to coach. His best days in basketball are ahead of him.”
“I’m very excited to begin my professional career,” said Horne. “I would like to thank Coach Lavin and the St. John’s coaches for teaching me so much in the past year, as well as the former coaches for giving me the chance to play college basketball at the highest level and in the toughest conference. All of that contributed to my experience at St. John’s and helped prepare me for professional basketball. I’d also like to thank all of the fans that stuck with us through thick and thin, and I hope they all continue to follow me throughout my career.”
SPURS GUARD TO RUSSIA
Spurs guard Chris Quinn has signed a one-year deal worth $1 million to play for Russian club Khimki.
