By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ben McLemore’s first spell in Europe concluded after an uneventful patch with AEK Betsson.
McLemore, 30, officially parted ways upon mutual agreement with the Greek club on Monday.
The Kansas product made plenty of noise across the Old Continent by inking a deal with the Queen in early August. From 571 games played in the NBA to the Basketball Champions League following a brief experience in China’s CBA, he was widely considered a brilliant addition. However, he will continue his career away from the team located in Athens.
He averaged 9.2 points per game and made 50% of his field goals over five appearances in the BCL. Continental displays additionally produced 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 19.2 minutes per contest. He contributed to a perfect 5-0 record in Group D and to clinching a berth in the Round of 16. AEK is set to wrap up the Regular Season next week and resume action in late January, switching to Group L in the next round.
In Greece’s Stoiximan Basket League, McLemore logged seven games played with 9.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. Sitting out the explosive guard in a third domestic outing last weekend due to league restrictions on available foreign players, the team coached by Joan Plaza balanced the W-L tally at 5-5 by edging out Marousi in Ano Liosia Olympic Hall.
AEK also parted ways with Thomas Kottas. The Greek center is expected to join Iraklis in the second-tier division of Greece.