By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After a brief spell with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Rodney McGruder returned to the United States due to personal reasons.
Olimpia Milan updated the status of the 32-year-old American shooting guard on Wednesday morning.
Per the press release: “Rodney McGruder has been granted immediate permission to return to the United States due to personal reasons. The club has appreciated his professionalism and his contributions to the team. Olimpia wishes him all the best for his future.”
Making his way to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, McGruder averaged 7.6 points per contest. He registered seven appearances, including two starts under Ettore Messina. In contrast to debuting in Europe’s premier club continental competition, he did not play at the domestic level.
A veteran of 326 games played in the NBA, he used his overseas options to join Le Scarpette Rosse in January.
Coming out of Kansas State in 2013, he entered the NBA as an undrafted rookie before heading to Hungary for the majority of the 2013-14 campaign. From focusing on the D League, now called G League, for two years to make his first NBA appearance via the Miami Heat added to the early part of his career. He ended up with experience across seven seasons in the NBA before moving to Italy.
Carrying a 12-16 record, the team coached by Messina sits one game outside the EuroLeague’s Play-In zone. At 15-7 in Italy’s LBA UnipolSai, the distance from the top spot of the standings is two games.