Sofia, Bulgaria -- Lukoil Academic Point Guard Willie Deane, two-time Bulgarian Champion and two-time Russian League Scoring Champion in 2006 & 2007 is now acitizen of Bulgaria and days ago received and was granted a Bulgarian Passport. The Player,who in the past two seasons, played and won the National Championship for Lukoil Akademik Sofia, averages nearly 18 points and more than 4 assists a game in his overall career. Last season he led the Bulgarian League in assists (5.0 apg) and steals (2.3 spg) and he is set to start the tough battle for the Bulgarian Championship again against formidable competitor Levski Sport.

After a brief stint with NBA’s Washington Wizards in 2007, Deane returned to Europe to make himself known as one of the best point guards in all of Europe, as predicted by his agent, Craig McKenzie of Higher Vision Sports. Deane now ranks 6th in Eurocup’s All-Time Leaders for Points, Assists and Steals per game. McKenzie states "It didn't take me long to figure this out. Willie can shoot the long ball. He can defend. He is quick. He jumps over power position players. He can pass. What more do you want from a point guard? He is a very strong and athletic player and has an uncanny way of scoring. More integrally, Willie is a team player.”

Deane’s accolades include Eurobasket.com All-Bulgarian League Player of the Year, Guard of the Year, Import Player of the Year, 1st Team, All-Imports Team and All-Defensive Team, as well as Bulgaria’s Best Foreign Player in the past.

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