GatorBait.net - Reports: Calathes turning pro

May 23, 2009

Adam Gorney
GatorBait.net Assistant Editor

Nick Calathes has decided to play professional basketball next season but not in the NBA, according to multiple reports Saturday which stated the star guard has decided not to return to Florida for his junior season.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, which first reported the news, Calathes agreed to terms Friday with Panathinaikos, the Euroleague champion which is based in Greece and the package is worth $1.1 million per year along with a home, car and tax credits.

Coach Billy Donovan was informed of Calathes' decision Friday, the report said. The departure of Calathes leaves the Gators severely depleted at the guard spots.

"They're thin in the backcourt, there's no other way to put it," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer said. "There's going to be a lot of pressure on Erving Walker to hold down the point guard position and Ray Shipman has to player a bigger role. You're going to see Kenny Boynton play some point guard.

"Kenny likes having the ball in his hands and handles the ball well. He's going to have to figure out when to shoot and when not to shoot. It's going to be different playing the point in the SEC than when he's in travel ball or in high school."

Last summer, Calathes played with the Greek national team in the FIBA Europe under-20 championships and his brother, former St. Joseph's standout, Pat, plays for Maroussi, which is also based in Greece.

Calathes, who led the team in scoring as a freshman and sophomore, averaged 17.2 points and 5.3 rebounds and he had 231 assists last season. During his two years with the Gators, Calathes set a bunch of school records and became the second player in school history to get a triple-double, although never played in the NCAA Tournament. Calathes is the first Florida player to have two triple-doubles.

Some draft analysts predicted Calathes as a first-round draft pick but many believed he would go in the second round. Donovan said in mid-April his belief was that Calathes was headed pro because he had declared for the draft.

According to his father, John, Calathes worked out in Dallas and San Antonio last week in preparation for June's NBA Draft. Reports said the Mavericks were interested in picking Calathes at No. 22. John Calathes did not want to go on the record regarding Nick's decision-making process last week.

The Sentinel reported that NBA teams can still draft Calathes and would retain his rights. The report said Calathes' contract is believed to have a buyout option.

Foxsports.com called Calathes' decision "a baffling move" to choose Europe over the NBA.

"It makes no sense," a source told Jeff Goodman of Foxsports.com. "Nick's dream, like most American kids, is to play in the NBA. His dad is behind the decision."

Florida had not immediately released a statement concerning Calathes' future. Calathes and his father did not return calls.

Calathes is the latest American basketball player to go overseas and could become the first collegiate player to leave early to play in Europe. Foxsports.com reported Calathes signed with agent Dan Fegan.

Josh Childress, the former Stanford standout who was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks, signed with Olympiakos for a reported $32.5 million over three years and turned down a deal from Atlanta to sign with the European team. His situation brought to more light the lure of playing in Europe.

High school sensation Brandon Jennings opted to play in Europe for one season instead of going to college and is expected to be a lottery pick next month. The former Oak Hill Academy standout might have set a path for future prep stars to follow in his path.

In recent weeks, five-star San Diego, Calif., standout Jeremy Tyler announced he will skip his senior season of high school to play in Europe.

Florida's attempts to sign a point guard in the 2009 class went bad. Erik Bledsoe and John Wall went to Kentucky and Rico Pickett chose Manhattan. Bledsoe and especially Wall were two players that could have started from Day 1 in Calathes' absence.

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