The Bulgarian side Lukoil Academic strengthened its roster with two fresh newcomers till the end of the season. In the Friday afternoon “The Students” signed the former Los Angeles Lakers forward Devin Green (201-F-82, College: Hampton University) and the former AEK (Athens) player Lamont Mack (201-F-87, College: University of North Carolina at Charlotte).
Both of them are playing on small forward and will be ready for the crucial game in Sofia on Tuesday against Spartak (St Petersburg) from group “I” of EuroChallenge.
Devin Green was waived by the Chinese Shanghai Sharks earlier this month. The player was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, appearing in 27 games in the 2005-2006 season. Later in 2006/2007 Green was part of the NBDL team the Los Angeles D-Fenders, but finished the season in the German Bundesliga in the team of RheinEnergie Koln. With Koln Green won the German National Cup in 2007.
Devin Green had also two more attempts to back to the NBA as a member of the Preseason camps of Miami Heat (2007) and San Antonio Spurs (2008). In July 2009 he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Summer League in Las Vegas.
In Europe the Hampton University graduate has seasons for the Italian First Division Teramo and the Belgian Top side Oostende.
The 23 years old Lamont Mack is a former Charlotte 49ers player in NCAA Division I. The Chicago native started his professional career back in 2009 when he joined the Greek side AEK (Athens). In fact Lukoil Academic is the second team that the player signed overseas.
The Bulgarian champion hosts the strong Russian side Spartak (St Petersburg) on Tuesday in Sofia. This is a pure derby in group “I” of EuroChallenge as the two teams won their first games this week. Zvika Sherf team is one of the clear favourites to win this season competition and will land in Sofia on Sunday morning. The Spartak roster is very impressive for the European standarts including players as the experienced Henry Domercant (192-G-80, college: E.Illinois), the Slovenian Miha Zupan (205-F/C-82) and the Macedonian International and Bulgarian champion with Lukoil Academic in 2008 and 2009 Pero Antic (210-F-82).
The President of Lukoil Academic Mr. Valentin Zlatev already mentioned that the main goal of the club is to reach the Final Four of EuroChallenge and the signing of the two American new additions may be considered as a real proof for the ambitions of the the team.
Editor’s note: Racho Kolev is a Bulgarian journalist who works for sportal.bg.
