Sasha Vujacic signs with Turkish team

Updated: July 15, 2011, 6:21 PM ET
ESPN.com news services

ANKARA -- New Jersey Nets guard Sasha Vujacic has signed with a Turkish team for next season.

Anadolu Efes said Friday the 27-year old Slovenian guard agreed to a one-year deal with an optional second year. It did not say whether Vujacic has an option to return to New Jersey if the NBA lockout is lifted.

"The reasoning behind my decision to join Efes, is that besides being the most successful team in Turkish Basketball history, Efes also competes in the Euroleague against the top teams in Europe," Vujacic said in a statement on his website Friday. "With the uncertainty of the NBA lockout, I couldn't imagine myself not competing and taking a break from basketball, which is what I do and live for. I hope the NBA and NBPA reach an agreement soon and I also hope that I will have the chance to play in the NBA again. However, right now I can't wait to touch down in Istanbul and help my new team reach the best results possible."

Vujacic averaged 11.4 points in 56 games last season for the Nets. He joined the Nets in a three-team deal in December from the Los Angeles Lakers. He played there for six seasons, winning two NBA titles.

With the next NBA season threatened by the lockout, Turkish club Besiktas has previously said it is close to signing Nets All-Star guard Deron Williams. Nets draft pick Bojan Bogdanovic signed with Fenerbahce of the Turkish League in June.

Istanbul-based Efes has won 13 national titles.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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