By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Besides clinching a berth in the Round of 16 of the Basketball Champions League, UCAM Murcia also secured the services of D.J. Stephens on Wednesday afternoon.
Before his 33rd birthday on Thursday, the experienced forward signed a contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. He will join activities over the next few days.
A veteran of nine BCL appearances with Prometey in the 2021-22 season, his return meets the Universitarios in Group I of the Round of 16. Topping Group H of the Regular Season with a 5-1 record secured a direct ticket to the next stage.
In the Round of 16, the team coached by Sito Alonso will face off with ERA Nymburk and the winners of the Play-In matchups between Nanterre 92 and Filou Oostende, and Falco Vulcano Szombathely and Maccabi Ramat Gan.
Besides bouncing back in the Champions League, the Murcia newcomer will debut in Spain’s Liga Endesa. At 5-6, his new side trails the Playoffs zone and a spot in the midseason Copa del Rey by one game.
The former Memphis standout in the NCAA has played in four NBA games, one with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2018-19 and three with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013-14. His European experience went from Ilisiakos to start his professional career in Greece to Anadolu Efes, Zenit, Budivelnyk, Le Mans, Prometey, and Fos-sur-Mer. Last season in Japan with the Chiba Jets, he averaged 9.8 rebounds and 5.3 rebounds per B League contest.
Photo Credit: FIBA