Former NCAA sensation and NBA player Shabazz Napier is close to a deal with Crvena Zvezda, as being reported by Serbian media outlet Telesport. Napier spent the last season in Russia with Zenit and was to had his first experience in the EuroLeague.
He left the Russian club in March following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the persisting war in the country of Eastern Europe. He did not appear in any EuroLeague games for Zenit as he picked up an injury in the preseason.
He was set to return to action in March, but he departed from Russia. Coming out of the University of Connecticut as a two-time NCAA champion, he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 24th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
He appeared in 354 NBA games during his career playing for the likes of the Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards.
Napier has career averages of 7.0 points, 2.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds in the NBA. The Belgrade-based team has started the offseason strong after hiring head coach Vlada Jovanovic. They have already signed three players.
More specifically, John Holland, Hassan Martin, and Nemanja Nedovic will be playing for the Red-and Whites next season, while Ognjen Dobric, Nikola Ivanovic, Stefan Lazarevic, Branko Lazic, Stefan Markovic, Luka Mitrovic, and Aaron White will continue with the team.
