By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Javonte Smart uses overseas options to resume his career.
Smart, 24, inked a contract with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, the team announced on Sunday morning. The contract lasts until the end of the 2023-24 season and includes an option for the 2024-25 season, as noted by the team.
The Louisiana State product logged 18 games played in the NBA and 96 games played in the G League during his professional career. After staying in North America for two complete seasons, he switched to Europe to wrap up his third campaign. Overseas experience will be highlighted by the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. At the regional level, he is set to play for Crvena Zvezda in the AdmiralBet ABA League.
With Nemanja Nedovic, Nikola Topic, and Milos Teodosic forced to the injury list, the team based in Belgrade seeking additional backcourt options led to the signing of Smart. The explosive combo guard carries experience from the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. This season, he averaged 20.4 points per game in the G League, besides one appearance with the Sixers.
Defeating EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on the road on Thursday, the team guided by Giannis Sfairopoulos jumped to 9-12. A distance of two games from the Play-In zone shapes an uphill battle down the stretch of the 34-game double-legged round-robin schedule of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
In the ABA League, Crvena Zvezda sits on top of the standings behind a 13-2 W-L tally.
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