Raptors Add Another Euroleague Star
Perhaps it’s the appeal of playing in the League but not living in the United States that has seen the Toronto Raptors become the NBA’s premiere destination of Euroleague talent. Or perhaps its just the excellent scouting and vision of GM Bryan Colangelo. Nonetheless, former Euroleague stars Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Jose Calderon and now Will Solomon will play for the Raptors this season.
With everyone from Josh Childress to Earl Boykins heading overseas to see plenty of Euros and playing time, 30-year-old Solomon decided to come home.
“I wasn’t even looking to the NBA. I had a contract on the table. I was looking to go back to Europe,” Solomon said of his off-season mind set as his new team, the Toronto Raptors, worked out for the first time yesterday at Carleton University.
After a brief stint in the League, the ex-Clemson star bounced overseas to play in Greece, Israel and Turkey, quickly making a name for himself as a prolific scorer. Excited to prove that he can play in the best league in the world, Solomon turned down about $2 million from his old club Fenerbahce Ulker in Istanbul, Turkey.
Would you take the money overseas or the shot at glory in the League?
Source: National Post
October 1st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Big Sia says:
Fuck the money or the fame
Leaguers are Leaguers
October 1st, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Scott says:
Soloman did what I imagine most guys who go overseas early would do. They got their money, had their fun lighting up the euroleague, but at a certain point the lure of making it in the ‘league’ is too much to turn down if an offer comes along.
I imagine Will is on a minimum contract and probably lost over a Mill on leaving the euro scene, but its good to see a player come to play for the competition and love of the game, rather than fixate on the money aspect.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
peter says:
scott hit the nail on the head.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Kobeef says:
I thought I heard this before so I looked into it – Solomon signed with the Raps on July 28th….this news is three months old.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:24 pm
maddskizzle says:
by december we should hear about the raptors signing jamal sampson yesterday
October 1st, 2008 at 1:26 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Scott beautifully stated, beautifull.
All I’ma say is….’FAME, I WANNA LIVE FOREVER…FAME!!!
LMAO(x)2
October 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Meica says:
This proves exactly what I’ve been saying all along, and why Kobe laughs off the $50 mil rumors surrounding him and Lebron: if you want to be the best, you have to play with the best. If you have heart and pride and you play basketball, the NBA is the pinnacle. I’d even guess for most players they would rather win an NBA championship than a Gold Medal.
As big Sia says:
“Leaguers are Leaguers.”
and that’s one exclusive club, I’ll tell you what.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
W says:
Solomon is NOT a star in the Euroleague, he is more like a decent role-player.
The same way than Ukic or Dragic were really far from being the european elite.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
jnuh says:
How about we stop using the purple dinosaur logo that was retired about 5 years ago?
Dime is right on top of things with this post.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Top_Gun says:
Will Soloman was signed like at the beginning of summer or something. He was with the grizzlies before, but come on Dime step your game up.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 am
Haslem says:
id do it just to play as myself in 2k9, and thats a story to tell ur kids man.