Greedy Peterson is headed to Greece.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Brooklyn native and former Providence forward has inked a one-year, six-figure deal to play for the Rhodes Club of the Greek League.
Gerard Jones, Peterson’s advisor and the older brother of West Virginia sophomore forward Kevin Jones, said Peterson planned to return to the U.S. in 2011 with hopes of entering the NBA Draft.
“My game is multifaceted — scoring, rebounding and defending – whatever I am called on to do for my team,” Peterson, 21, said in a statement. “I welcome the challenge the international league brings and The Rhodes Club will see a player focused, determined and ready to step in and contribute right away. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and advisors for their support.”
Peterson leaves for Greece Aug. 23. He also had interest from clubs in Israel, Italy, Spain and Turkey, Jones said.
Peterson averaged 19.6 points and 10.2 rebounds a game last season as a sophomore.
Providence, which lost its final 11 games of the season, announced May 18 that he had been dismissed from the team.
Peterson said he planned to leave the program anyway in order to play professionally and take care of his family, including his mother, grandmother and siblings.
“Basically I had family problems financially and I’m trying to help them out,” Peterson said last month.
When Brandon Jennings played professionally in Italy two seasons ago, his mother and younger brother went with him. He was then chosen No. 10 in the 2009 NBA Draft and had a stellar rookie season.
As for how he might perform, one Big East assistant coach said Peterson was a tremendous athlete who needed to mature emotionally and get his body in better shape.
“He’ll score the ball,” the coach said. “He’s a freak athletically. He’s a human highlight film. He was arguably the most powerful athlete in the country last year, with some of his dunks.
“I think he would have to change his maturity and discipline and get some consistency to his game.”
(Photo courtesy Providence Athletics)
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