Gators in the Pros: Summer Movement Roundup (UPDATED: Prather to Australia)
Thursday, July 23, 2015 | Men's Basketball
By Denver Parler
UAA Communications
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - If you've lost track of all the movement by past Gator players this summer, it's hard to blame you. Every few days throughout July, news involving Florida guys has bubbled up. Let's take look at some of this summer's moves, and if there's a transaction that we have missed here, take a second and tweet at @GatorZoneMBK or drop an email to let us know.
Let's start with the NBA guys.
David Lee won an NBA championship ring with the Golden State Warriors, but the two-time NBA All-Star had accepted a reduced role with the Warriors. Golden State did right by Lee and sent him to the Boston Celtics where he has a chance to make a greater on-court contribution next season.
Warriors GM Bob Myers appreciated Lee accepting a secondary role on title team and had vowed to help him find a new home. Boston a good fit.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 7, 2015 Zach Harper at CBSSports.com wrote an in-depth analysis of the trade for those who want to dive deeper.
This one doesn't really qualify as player movement, but Matt Bonner inked a one-year deal with the Spurs. Bonner already has two NBA titles with San Antonio, and the Spurs certainly expect to be in the mix again next season with the core of the team returning and the addition of free agent LaMarcus Aldridge.
Spurs have re-signed forward Matt Bonner on a one-year deal for approximately $1.5 million. pic.twitter.com/DpAXLw3z2I
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 16, 2015 After a strong year in Australia and Greece last season, Scottie Wilbekin lit up the NBA Summer League and landed a partially-guaranteed contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
I spoke with Scottie Wilbekin about his deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and his year abroad in Australia and Greece: http://t.co/YD1omaftv9
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) July 22, 2015
Wilbekin will have at least one familiar face in Philly, too.
Another Gator in Philadelphia, welcome bro! @scottiew_5
— Trey Burton (@TreyBurton8) July 18, 2015
Let's make the transition from NBA news to overseas with Nick Calathes, because that's what he's doing. After two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Calathes is returning to Panathinaikos B.C., where he spent the first three seasons of his pro career. He got a warm welcome back to Greece in the tweet below, which I expect readers should understand perfectly.
O @Nick_Calathes15 επιστρέφει στον Παναθηναϊκό, όπου θα αγωνίζεται για τα επόμενα τρία χρόνια! #paobc pic.twitter.com/SnMALq5TZK
— Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) July 15, 2015
If your Greek is a little rusty, here's some help.
.@paobcgr has signed @Nick_Calathes15 to a three-year deal: http://t.co/HP5s5jJiai pic.twitter.com/dxZIl58SvZ
— EuroleagueBasketball (@Euroleague) July 16, 2015
Speaking of Greece, that's where you'll also find Patric Young and his muscles next season. Young briefly latched on with the New Orleans Pelicans as a rookie before spending the balance of the season in Turkey, where he was an all-league player. Now he'll suit up for Olympiacos B.C.
Welcome to Olympiacos @PatricYoung4 #OlympiacosBC
— Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) July 17, 2015
Young, who always had a knack for bringing Gator fans inside his life on social media, posted a photo of his contract signing.
Deal is done. Olympiacos here I come lets go make history. https://t.co/gMiWPqN5lF
— Patric Young (@PatricYoung4) July 17, 2015 Alex Tyus, who has constructed a really strong overseas career for himself, signed a one-year deal with Anadolu Efes in Turkey with a second year as a club option.
.@AnadoluEfesSK added more size to its roster by inking @AlexTyus23 to a one-year deal: http://t.co/DDQwO14mkJ pic.twitter.com/mIPeuMEXAq
— EuroleagueBasketball (@Euroleague) July 21, 2015
Tyus won't be the only Gator in Turkey, with Erving Walker signing a one-year deal with Buyukcemece after playing in France last season.
OFFICIAL: Erving Walker moves to Buyukcemece http://t.co/vGaxEQsySK
— Sportando (@sportando) July 8, 2015
While no announcement has cropped up yet, it appears Casey Prather has something in the works after playing with the NBA D-League's Bakersfield Jam last season and appearing with the D-League Select team during NBA Summer League.
Blessed beyond measures!! Can't wait to start my new journey!! God knew that my family and I both needed this and he delivered.. So thankful
— casey prather (@cprather24) July 20, 2015
We'll update this story when we can with Prather's next step.
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Prather Update:The Perth Wildcats announced late Friday night that they have signed Prather, so the 2014 Final Four team's leading scorer is headed to Australia.
The Perth Wildcats sign American excitement machine CASEY PRATHER! Story & video: http://t.co/otzAkR7a4z #RedArmy pic.twitter.com/AMxRrzGLI5
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) July 25, 2015 ---
As for the Florida rookies, both Michael Frazier II and Chris Walker participated in the NBA Summer League with their next steps to be determined. SB Nation's Kevin O'Connor has a fairly extensive breakdown of Frazier and why he could be the NBA's next undrafted sleeper.
And finally, while Chandler Parsons isn't changing teams, we shouldn't fail to mention that he found himself in the middle of the NBA's biggest free agency story this summer.
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— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) July 8, 2015 So there you have it. Everything that we know, you know. If we're missing something, use the links up top to fill us in!
