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Former Montana Grizzly Johnson to play basketball in Greece
Greece is the word for former Montana Grizzly basketball player Anthony Johnson.
Johnson, the Grizzlies' record-setting guard from the last two seasons, signed a contract to play professionally in the top league in Greece, Johnson confirmed Thursday.
Johnson signed with DASH Peristeri GS, a team located in Athens.
Johnson and wife Shaunte Nance-Johnson, who played for the Montana Lady Griz, will depart for Athens in seven days, Johnson said.
Johnson's agent, Jamie Knox of Raleigh, N.C., presented Johnson deals with a team in Italy or Greece, Johnson said.
"This one sounded right," said Johnson, who declined to talk about his salary. "We got that feeling. The wife was excited about it and anything she's game to do I have to get on board."
Nance-Johnson and Johnson were selected by the Harlem Globetrotters during a draft in June, but Johnson kept looking for opportunities to play competitively.
"There was some stuff with the NBA, but they kept telling me the same thing: ‘We have to see more of you at point guard,' and all of that," Johnson said. "With Greece, we were on the same page.
"As far as basketball, it was a great opportunity to show what I can do. I've reached a stage where I just want to play basketball and if the NBA isn't willing to take a chance on me this year - I know one day I'm going to get there - it didn't feel right to keep chasing it for this year, trying to make people like me. I told my agent to hook me up with a deal overseas and I'm going to make sure the NBA comes to me next time."
Johnson said he wouldn't rule out playing for the Globetrotters with his wife some day, but not now.
"I haven't let them know formally," Johnson said. "I did speak with somebody with the organization. They had training camp around Aug. 4 and I gave them a call to let them know I wouldn't be participating. I didn't burn the bridge; they're still keeping us on file."
When interviewed in May, Knox listed Greece as one of the top overseas destinations for American players.
"I trust his word completely," Johnson said. "I have no doubt he was pushing my name. He presented me with this deal. This was the only opportunity where he said, ‘You need to take this one.' He hasn't steered me wrong."
As a senior, Johnson averaged 19.2 points a game for the Griz. He scored a school-record 42 points to lift the Griz over Weber State in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship in March, helping the Griz to their eighth appearance in the NCAA tournament. Montana lost to New Mexico, 62-57, in the first round of the NCAAs.
"They want me to score the basketball," Johnson said of Peristeri. "I don't have to go there and try to impress them with my point guard skills. I can go and do what comes naturally."
Sports editor Bob Meseroll can be reached
Former Montana Grizzly Johnson to play basketball in Greece
Greece is the word for former Montana Grizzly basketball player Anthony Johnson.
Johnson, the Grizzlies' record-setting guard from the last two seasons, signed a contract to play professionally in the top league in Greece, Johnson confirmed Thursday.
Johnson signed with DASH Peristeri GS, a team located in Athens.
Johnson and wife Shaunte Nance-Johnson, who played for the Montana Lady Griz, will depart for Athens in seven days, Johnson said.
Johnson's agent, Jamie Knox of Raleigh, N.C., presented Johnson deals with a team in Italy or Greece, Johnson said.
"This one sounded right," said Johnson, who declined to talk about his salary. "We got that feeling. The wife was excited about it and anything she's game to do I have to get on board."
Nance-Johnson and Johnson were selected by the Harlem Globetrotters during a draft in June, but Johnson kept looking for opportunities to play competitively.
"There was some stuff with the NBA, but they kept telling me the same thing: ‘We have to see more of you at point guard,' and all of that," Johnson said. "With Greece, we were on the same page.
"As far as basketball, it was a great opportunity to show what I can do. I've reached a stage where I just want to play basketball and if the NBA isn't willing to take a chance on me this year - I know one day I'm going to get there - it didn't feel right to keep chasing it for this year, trying to make people like me. I told my agent to hook me up with a deal overseas and I'm going to make sure the NBA comes to me next time."
Johnson said he wouldn't rule out playing for the Globetrotters with his wife some day, but not now.
"I haven't let them know formally," Johnson said. "I did speak with somebody with the organization. They had training camp around Aug. 4 and I gave them a call to let them know I wouldn't be participating. I didn't burn the bridge; they're still keeping us on file."
When interviewed in May, Knox listed Greece as one of the top overseas destinations for American players.
"I trust his word completely," Johnson said. "I have no doubt he was pushing my name. He presented me with this deal. This was the only opportunity where he said, ‘You need to take this one.' He hasn't steered me wrong."
As a senior, Johnson averaged 19.2 points a game for the Griz. He scored a school-record 42 points to lift the Griz over Weber State in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship in March, helping the Griz to their eighth appearance in the NCAA tournament. Montana lost to New Mexico, 62-57, in the first round of the NCAAs.
"They want me to score the basketball," Johnson said of Peristeri. "I don't have to go there and try to impress them with my point guard skills. I can go and do what comes naturally."
Sports editor Bob Meseroll can be reached
