UF star Nick Calathes will bypass NBA to play in Greece
Gators point guard agrees to terms with elite Euroleague champion Panathinaikos
Chris Harry | Orlando Sentinel
8:55 AM EDT, May 24, 2009
University of Florida standout point guard Nick Calathes is going pro.
But not to the NBA.
Calathes, the state's two-time "Mr. Basketball" from Lake Howell , agreed to terms Friday to play for powerful Panathinaikos , the reigning Euroleague Basketball champion club based in Greece, according to sources close to the former Gators playmaker.
Neither Calathes nor his family would comment on the development, pending announcements from Panathinaikos and UF. Gators Coach Coach Billy Donovan apparently was informed of his player's decision Friday night, with at least one source saying a contract was signed.
The deal, sources said, will pay Calathes around $1.1 million per year, in addition to providing him with a home, car and tax credits, making for a total package commensurate to what the NBA rookie salary scale provides a late-lottery selection. Golden's State forward Anthony Randolph, the final lottery pick of 2008 at No. 14, made $1.424 million as a rookie.
With his Greek heritage and dual citizenship, Calathes figures to be a popular figure in Athens. In addition to joining arguably the world's most elite overseas franchise, there should be endorsement opportunities aplenty, and the built-in honor to represent his country in international competition. Last summer, he played for the Greek National Team during the FIBA Europe Under-20 championships.
The move also will put Calathes closer to his older brother, Pat, the former St. Joseph's standout who plays for Maroussi , another Greek team in the Euroleague.
Panathinaikos (also known as PAO) has won 29 Greek national championships, five Euroleague titles and in 2007 became the first Greek club to play exhibition games against NBA teams. The list of past players to suit up for Panathinaikos includes Dominique Wilkins , Byron Scott , Antonio Davis , Tony Delk and John Salley .
Calathes, who averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and led the Southeastern Conference with 6.2 assists per game as a sophomore last season, applied for early entry into the NBA draft, but held off from hiring a agent in the event he changed his mind and opted to return to school.
Draft analysts projected the 6-foot-5, 185-pounder to go late in the first round, though Dallas, picking 22nd, was believed to be very interested after hosting the first-team All-SEC selection for a workout last week.
NBA teams still may select Calathes in the June 25 draft and would retain his future rights. The contract with Panathinaikos is believed to have a buyout option, as well.
Calathes, 20, is the latest to join the trend of American players taking their games overseas. Josh Childress, the former first-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks, last year signed a three-year, $32.5 million deal with Olympiakos, the team currently battling Panathinaikos in the Greek national championship series. Jennaro Pargo, a six-year NBA veteran, also signed with Olympiakos last year.
Brandon Jennings, the Compton, Calif., national high school player of the year in 2008, bypassed playing in college for a $2 million contract from Pallacanestro Virtus Roma in the Italian League, while another California superstar -- 6-11 Jeremy Tyler -- announced in April he plans to forgo his senior year of high school to play in Europe.
