By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
An impressive signing for AEK with Ben McLemore joining the team coached by Joan Plaza.
McLemore, 30, signed a one-year contract, the team announced Sunday.
Expanding his career to Europe, the new challenge is in the Basketball Champions League with the lasting original of FIBA Europe’s top-tier club continental competition, besides also playing in the domestic competitions of Greece. Plaza’s side will face off with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari, and King Wilki Morskie Szczecin in Group D of the BCL Regular Season.
Coming out of Kansas, McLemore was selected with the seventh overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo, famously picked up by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 15th overall selection. The Freak went on to establish himself as the best player of the 2013 draft.
On his own path, the American shooting guard logged 611 games played in the NBA between the Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers. The last appearance dates late in the 2021-22 Regular Season.
In 2022-23, he made his way to nine CBA games with the Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin. He averaged 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per contest.
From China to Greece, he will be teaming up with Manos Hatzidakis, Zois Karampelas, Giannis Kouzeloglou, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Jordan McRae, and Omiros Netzipoglou, all confirmed on the 2023-24 squad of the Queen. More signings are expected to complete the roster.