Brock Motum says priority is still playing in Europe after parting ways with Valencia
NBL teams have moved quickly to try and lure Olympian Brock Motum back home after the talented forward became one of the hottest products on the free agent market this week.
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Australian basketball free agent Brock Motum has all but ruled out a return to the National Basketball League after parting ways with his European team.
The Brisbane product and former Washington State University star’s future is up in the air after returning home after mutually splitting with Spanish EuroLeague team, Valencia, earlier this month.
Motum, who enjoyed successful previous stints with Zalgiris and Anadolu Efes, last played in the NBL in 2015 with the Adelaide 36ers.
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Despite being contacted by most teams around the NBL, who would jump at the chance to sign the Olympian, Motum said his priority was joining another EuroLeague team.
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“I really enjoy playing over there and you want to play at the highest level possible, that’s obviously the main thing alongside location, fit and the right team financially,” he said.
“I’ve had some contact from some teams around Europe and will have a lot more discussions soon and on top of that there’s also the leagues in China in Japan, who are starting to get better, have good money and aren’t really impacted that much by the coronavirus.
“I’m hoping it all gets sorted in the next week or two.
“Most NBL teams have contacted me or my agent, just asking if there’s a chance I’d come back and if it’s worth putting something together and I’ve told them where I’m at.
“I love playing in Australia and wouldn’t rule it out but right now my priority is in Europe.”
The 29-year-old, who is currently in quarantine at a hotel in Brisbane with his wife Martyna and newborn son, said finding the right fit was important ahead of the Tokyo Olympics next year.
“You just want to give yourself the best chance possible to make that team and playing at the highest level you can definitely helps,” Motum said.
“I want to get back into that Boomers team and to play at another Olympics would be amazing.”
Motum also gave a special shout out to Boomers teammate and San Antonio Spurs star Patty Mills, who donated the rest of his NBA salary for this season towards social justice causes in Australia.
“Patty is an absolute legend and cares about this sort of stuff so much and he really cares about Australia,” he said.
“It’s an incredible gesture.”
Originally published as Brock Motum says priority is still playing in Europe after parting ways with Valencia