By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Danish international, and former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Basketball Champions League star Iffe Lundberg has signed a contract to join the Phoenix Suns for the rest of the 2021-22 NBA season, according to Denmark’s TV 2 Sport.
The Suns announced that Lundberg joined the team later on Saturday.
Lundberg, 27, formally parted ways with CSKA Moscow on Friday. He paid the contract buyout himself, according to Eurohoops sources. Along with multiple teammates, he had left the Russian capital upon the country’s invasion of Ukraine leading to the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.
Widely considered the best active Dane player, he had set his sights on making it to the NBA. After getting the chance to display his talents abroad, he helped current BCL outfit Baxi Manresa return to Spain’s top-flight division and in 2018-19 debuted himself in the ACB. Moving to Lenovo Tenerife in 2019-20, he logged 14 appearances in the Champions League. He landed in Poland powerhouse Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora before joining CSKA midway through the 2020-21 season, on his way to the best league of the world, potentially on a two-way contract.
Wrapping up his 39-game run in the EuroLeague, he produced 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.9 steals per contest over 24 appearances in the 2021-22 Regular Season of Europe’s premier club continental competition. In addition, he averaged 12.6 points, 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per VTB United League game.
As for the Suns, they are the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Despite missing multiple players in recent outings, the team coached by Monty Williams has managed to hold on to the lead in the NBA standings behind a 53-14 record.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net