Andre Barrett spent last season in France and the NBA D-League.
Neither is exactly the dream location for any American basketball player.
“I think both are a grind,” the 5-foot-10 former Seton Hall star told SNY.tv.
“It’s not something most basketball players from America are used to. It really puts your mental [strength] to the test.”
The Bronx native got a big break this week when the Memphis Grizzlies signed him to a non-guaranteed deal, a move they announced Thursday.
“It’s very exciting,” Barrett said. “I feel like I just have to play my game I’ve been playing for years, so I know how to play the game on this level.”
Barrett’s résumé reads like that of a basketball journeyman.
Undrafted in the 2004 NBA Draft, the 31-year-old holds NBA career averages of 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 12.2 minutes in 67 games in four seasons for the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers.
He’s had stints with four D-League teams and also played for Regal FC Barcelona in Spain (2008-09) and Chorale de Roanne Basket in France (2011-12).
Barrett admitted that it was difficult being “away from family and friends” in France.
“Also, the language can be difficult at times,” he said. “France is a beautiful country, though.”
Now he’s in Grizzlies camp where the team has Mike Conley at the point and also Jerryd Bayless and Nick Calathes in the backcourt.
“As to his chances, you never know,” Keith Glass, Barrett’s agent and the former agent of Knicks coach Mike Woodson, told SNY.tv.
“But they are better in Memphis than at home.”
