A potential spot has opened up for Kai Sotto in the B.League.
Defending B.League champion Nagasaki Velca announced that Lee Hyunjung has parted ways with the team after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with NBA team Portland on Monday.
“We have placed Lee Hyunjung on the B.LEAGUE free agent list,” said Velca team manager Takuma Ito.
“The entire Nagasaki Velca team will give our utmost support to Lee as he pursues his dream of playing in the NBA, a dream he has held since joining the team. We ask for your continued warm support for Lee.”
Lee was instrumental in the Velca’s championship run last season.
The 6-foot-7 winger averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while also earning Finals MVP honors.
(C) B.League
Lee now joins Chinese superstar Yang Hansen in the Trail Blazers.
The development could not have come at a more opportune time for Sotto.
Last week, the 7-foot-3 Filipino was unable to join Texas A&M after the NCAA determined that his professional earnings exceeded the “basic living” threshold required for him to regain his amateur status.
Sotto played for the Koshigaya Alphas last season, averaging 13.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
With Lee’s departure, Nagasaki is now in talks with several prospects to fill its Asian Quota slot.
“The club will proceed with contract negotiations with potential candidates to acquire an Asian player to replace Lee,” said Ito.
