Phoenix Suns' big Gani Lawal signs with a Polish club: NBA News
As the lockout enters into its third month and talks on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement still in definitive, more and more players are now getting anxious in seeking opportunities overseas. The latest name that has been added to the list of players, who have signed contracts with international teams during the lockout, is Phoenix Suns big man Gani Lawal.
Lawal has decided to take his talents to Poland, where he will represent Zastal Zielona Gora. The 22 year old forward has also got an out-clause in his contract that will allow him to return to NBA once the lockout issue settles down.
Lawal, who had initiated his training at Georgia Tech and also started playing pickup games two weeks ago, said,
“It’s a good opportunity for me to get good minutes. That’s the biggest thing — to get in playing form. I haven’t competed in so long. I’m hungry. I’m young in this game and thankful to have a situation to get in game rhythm.
“The NBA is where I want to be but I’m very thankful for Poland and this organization to give me the opportunity. I’m waiting on the NBA, just like the rest of the 450 players.”
Lawal, who will fly to Poland on Tuesday, is the first Suns player to sign a deal with an international team during this lockout. His departure though may be of a concern to the Suns. Earlier Lawal missed his entire rookie season because of an injury that partially tore his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and completely damaged his anterior cruciate ligament (NCL)
The injury took place in a game on January 6, his first ever pro game, but because of this unfortunate event he could spent just two minutes on the court.
The young talent is however confident that he has successfully recovered from his injury and is looking to play some competitive basketball in order to make up for the time he missed in his rookie year. Gani will be looking to work on the areas of his game which he didn’t touch before and a competitive contest will definitely help him improve his play.
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