After failing to reach a transfer agreement with Greek League club Olympiakos, it appears that the Minnesota Timberwolves second-round draft choice, Nemanja Bjelica, will play for Caja Laboral of the ACB.
The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Bjelica was acquired in a draft day deal between Minnesota and Washington that had Trevor Booker and Hamady N'Diaye going to the Wizards for what ended up being Lazar Hayward and Bjelica.
After signing a three-year contract with Benetton Treviso around the time of the draft, it was a foregone conclusion that Bjelica would be spending at least a few seasons abroad before joining Minnesota.
The Serbian forward spent the last season playing for Red Star Belgrade of the Serbia-Superleague.
During the 2009-10 Eurocup, Bjelica appeared in 12 games and averaged 8.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 2.0 apg in 22.8 minutes per contest.
Following the draft and the signing with Benetton Treviso, there was talk of a number of possible clubs having interest in Bjelica, including Olympiakos.
However, it appears that Caja Laboral emerged as a surprise suitor for Bjelica's services, according to the Spanish basketball website Solobasket.com, and he will officially sign in the coming days.
Looking at the Caja Loboral roster, Bjelica will play alongside former NBA player, Walter Hermann, who was formerly a member of the Charlotte Bobcats and the Detroit Pistons.
© 2010 Neal J. Leitereg -- All Rights Reserved
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