Small forward Sonny Weems has left Euroleague side CSKA Moscow and has said that he will return to the NBA.
Weems though has said that he will not shut the door on playing in Europe again, but feels he still has a lot to offer and wants to test the waters again. The 28-year-old has had spells with the Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors before moving to Zalgiris in 2011.
After a year in Lithuania, Weems joined CSKA on a three-year deal and has won two VTB League titles as well as being named on to the All-Euroleague first team for 2014.
“I would like to thank the club for understanding,” Weems said. “I want to thank Andrey Vatutin, Natalia Furaeva along with CSKA fans and my teammates for my time in Moscow.
“It was special. Now I want to try waters in the NBA but I don’t close the door for European basketball which I really like.”
CSKA president Andrey Vatutin understands Weems’ goals, but admits that his side, who let go of Sasha Kaun this off-season have let possibly the best player in Europe go.
“We have to part with the player who belongs to the top in Europe on his position and possesses all the talents needed to play in the NBA,” Vatutin said.
“Sonny earned the respect from the club and the fans by his game and we really wish him good luck to get his dream come true.”
Contract negotiations with the NBA start on July 1.
