By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos, Real Madrid and Caja Laboral are on the hunt for a well respected big man, but French champions Elan Chalon got the big name on Tuesday’s night. As it was officially announced Duke alumni Shelden Williams signed with the team.
After six season in the NBA, 28 years old Williams will try his skills in Europe, having the pedigree for success. Not only he was a star at Duky University, being the career leader in rebounds (1,262) and blocked shots (422), but he is also the brother-in-law of Anthony Parker, a Euroleague legend and former player of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Williams is by default the best big man in French league. At the same time Real Madrid, Caja Laboral and Panathinaikos are still searching for a big man with the last two teams rumored to be interested in the 24 years old Serbian center Miroslav Raduljica and Real also rumored to be ready to sign former NBA player Darko Milicic.
Also, one more Euroleague team, Polish champion Prokom Gdynia signed Australian center Julian Khazzouh and Ukrainian champion BC Donetsk, a team participating in Euroleague’s qualifying round, added in its frontline forward Kaloyan Ivanov.