NEVER ENDING EXODUS

Sonny Weems

Even though there are recent developments that could probably unlock the on-going NBA lockout, American pro players continue their odyssey to play hoops overseas. As of the last count, 46 have already signed contracts to ply their trade on foreign land. The list includes nine players with no-opt out clause in their deals which makes them ineligible to return to the NBA once the lockout ends before the 2011-12 season. These are Rasual Butler (CB Gran Canaria, Spain), Wilson Chandler (Zhejiang Guangsha, China), Earl Clark (Zhejiang, China), Acie Law (Partizan, Serbia), Nenad Krstic (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Chris Quinn (Khimki Moscow, Russia), Darius Songaila (Galatasaray, Turkey) Garrett Temple (Casale, Italy), and Sonny Weems (Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania). Herewith is the complete updated list of players who have signed contract with foreign clubs, according to Mark Nugent of Hoopsworld.

“Jeff Adrien: Benetton Treviso, Italy (Golden State Warriors, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Lavoy Allen: Strasbourg IG, France (Philadelphia 76ers, Rookie)

David Andersen: Montepaschi Siena, Italy (New Orleans Hornets)

Hilton Armstrong: ASVEL Villerbanne, France (Atlanta Hawks, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Leandro Barbosa: Flamengo, Brazil (Toronto Raptors)

Nicolas Batum: Nancy, France (Portland Trail Blazers)

Keith Benson: Team Sassari, Italy (Atlanta Hawks, Rookie)

DeJuan Blair: Krasne Krylya Samara, Russia (San Antonio Spurs)

Trevor Booker: Bnei Hasharon, Israel (Washington Wizards)

Craig Brackins: Maccabi Ashdod, Israel (Philadelphia 76ers)

Rasual Butler: CB Gran Canaria, Spain (Chicago Bulls, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Wilson Chandler: Zhejiang Guangsha, China (Denver Nuggets, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Earl Clark: Zhejiang, China (Orlando Magic, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Jon Diebler: Panionios, Greece (Portland Trail Blazers)

Jordan Farmar: Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel (New Jersey Nets)

Alonzo Gee: Prokom Trefl Sopot, Poland (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Danny Green: KK Union Olimpija, Slovenia (San Antonio Spurs)

Justin Harper: Strasbourg, France (Orlando Magic, Rookie)

Ersan Ilyasova: Anadolu Efes, Turkey (Milwaukee Bucks)

Pooh Jeter: Joventut Badalona, Spain (Sacramento Kings)

Trey Johnson: Teramo, Italy (Los Angeles Lakers, Restricted Free Agent)

Nenad Krstic: CSKA Moscow, Russia (Boston Celtics, Unrestricted Free Agent), Signed two-year deal with no opt-out clause

Acie Law: Partizan, Serbia (Golden State Warriors, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Ty Lawson: Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania (Denver Nuggets)

Jon Leuer: Skyliners Frankfurt, Germany (Milwaukee Bucks, Rookie)

Patty Mills: Melbourne Tigers, Australia (Portland Trail Blazers, Restricted Free Agent)

E’Twaun Moore: Benetton Treviso, Italy (Boston Celtics, Rookie)

Timofey Mozgov: Khimki Moscow, Russia (Denver Nuggets)

Chandler Parsons: Cholet, France (Houston Rockets, Rookie)

Nikloa Pekovic: Paritzan Belgrade, Serbia (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Chris Quinn: Khimki Moscow, Russia (San Antonio Spurs, Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Magnum Rolle: LG Sakers, South Korea (Atlanta Hawks)

Mustafa Shakur: Pau-Orthez, France (Washington Wizards, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Kyle Singler: Lucentum Alicante, Spain (Detroit Pistons, Rookie)

Darius Songaila: Galatasaray, Turkey (Philadelphia 76ers Unrestricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

DaJuan Summers: Montepaschi Siena, Italy (Detroit Pistons, Restricted Free Agent), Signed two-year deal, opt-out after first year

Pape Sy: Gravelines-Dunkerque, France (Atlanta Hawks)

Garrett Temple: Casale, Italy (Charlotte Bobcats, Restricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Nikola Vucevic: KK Buducnost Pdogorica, Montenegro (Philadelphia 76ers, Rookie)

Sasha Vujacic: Anadolu Efes, Turkey (New Jersey Nets, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Von Wafer: Venoli Cremona, Italy (Boston Celtics, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Sonny Weems: Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania (Toronto Raptors, Restricted Free Agent), No opt-out clause

Mario West: Tezenis Verona, Italy (New Jersey Nets, Unrestricted Free Agent)

Deron Williams: Besiktas, Turkey (New Jersey Nets)

Reggie Williams: Caja Laboral Vitoria, Spain (Golden State Warriors, Restricted Free Agent)

Sean Williams: Maccabi Haifa, Israel (Unrestricted Free Agent).”