Lamar Patterson, the second-round pick obtained by the Hawks in a draft night trade, will play professionally in Turkey next season.
Patterson has signed to play for Tofas Burta in the Euroleague, the Turkish team announced Tuesday.
The Hawks traded for Patterson, who was taken with the 48th overall selection in June’s NBA Draft out of Pittsburgh. The Hawks will retain his draft rights.
“Lamar is in a good position to continue his development while playing meaningful minutes for a strong professional program next season,’ Hawks general manager Danny Ferry said in a statement. “We have a great respect for the international game and will be closely monitoring Lamar’s progress with Tofas.”
The 6-foot-5 guard/forward played for the Hawks entry in the Las Vegas Summer League last month. In six games, including three starts, Patterson averaged 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.3 minutes. He had a high of 11 points in a game against the D-League Select team on July 13.
“Definitely, I knew that going in,” Patterson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last month about the possibility of playing overseas next season. “The Hawks weren’t the only team where that option was on the table. I knew that going in. Right now I’m doing everything I can. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself to do this or that in order to stay. I know eventually I will have my opportunity. As long as I’m ready for that opportunity and I take it by the horns and run with it, I will be fine.”
Patterson averaged 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists in his senior season at Pittsburgh.
“I am excited about heading to Tofas in Turkey this season,” Patterson said in a statement released by the Hawks. “The Turkish league is extremely competitive and the team also plays in a great international league called EuroChallenge. My goal absolutely remains to play for the Hawks and this is an important step to help me get there. I am going to continue working extremely hard this year and I will come back as an improved player who is ready to contribute in any way possible to help the Hawks win games.”
The Hawks signed first-round pick Adreian Payne and second-round pick Edy Tavares is very likely to play next season in Spain’s ACB League.
