MILAN, Italy -- Brian Shaw of the Boston Celtics signed with the Italian League basketball team that earlier this month lured Danny Ferry from the NBA, officials said Thursday.
The Messaggero Roma club said it signed the 23-year-old guard for an unspecified sum. However, Shaw's agent, Leonard Armato of Los Angeles, said the deal was for 'nearly $2 million' over two years, with an option for Shaw to return to the NBA after a year.
'Although I am not at liberty to disclose the financial terms of the agreement, this is an excellent opportunity for Brian and one that is very lucrative,' Armato said in a statement.
'It also provides him with maximum flexibility for his basketball career in the future. All of Brian's expenses and housing costs have been provided in the contract and the team has given him the opportunity at his option to return to the NBA after one season.'
Shaw, the Celtics' No. 1 draft choice in 1988, played in all 82 games last season, starting in 54. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds a game, but earned only the NBA minimum salary of $75,000 because the team reached the league's salary cap.
'We offered Brian Shaw a fair and substantial multi-year offer to play with the Celtics,' Celtics General Manager Jan Volk said in Boston. 'However, it appears that Brian has made a business decision which he feels comfortable with.
'Brian figured to have a significant role in the upcoming season. However, in light of this change in our roster other options will now have to be considered regarding how that role will be fulfilled for this upcoming season.'
In a major coup Aug. 1, Messaggero Roma signed Ferry, the former Duke star and College Player of the Year, for a reported $1 million for a year. He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the No. 2 choice in the NBA draft.
The Italian League, which permits two foreigners on each roster, opens training camp next week.
'The team has been reinforced, the commitment assumed in this respect with the fans has been honored,' Messaggero Roma President Carlo Sama said in a statement. 'I think a stronger Rome formation could do good for all Italian basketball.'
Before the signing of Ferry, the highest paid American basketball player in Italy was former NBA star Bob McAdoo, who earned $450,000 last year with a Milan team.
