Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has signed Shabazz Napier to a two-year deal, strengthening its point guard options in the process. Napier (1.85 meters, 31 years old) joined EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in late January and made an immediate impact in his rookie Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, averaging 15.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and a 16.4 PIR across 12 appearances. The American is Zvezda's second point guard signing this summer, following the addition of veteran playmaker Milos Teodosic.
Shabazz Napier joins Crvena Zvezda
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Napier almost did the impossible
Milan looked destined to miss the EuroLeague Playoffs prior to Napier's arrival, yet a 6-0 run upon his arrival inspired hope among the club's fan base. The team ended up going 9-3 in the 12 games Napier played between Rounds 22 and 33. While Milan didn't make the playoffs in the end, the addition of Napier coincided with the side's best spell in the 2022-23 EuroLeague season, leaving many supporters wondering 'what could have been'.
Some stellar performances
Napier was able to reach double figures for points in nine of his 12 appearances last season, and his career-high mark of 28 points in a road win at Valencia Basket in Round 27 was a particular highlight. Before that, in Round 24, the Milan fans watched on from afar as the ex-NBA player scored 26 points and led his team to a 75-82 win at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. He had a 28 PIR in the win against Valencia and a 26 PIR in the triumph over Fenerbahce, but his second-best mark was the 27 PIR he recorded in a dominant win at home to FC Bayern Munich, in which he posted 20 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists and 2 steals. Zvezda fans will be hoping for performances like this upon Napier's arrival in Belgrade.
From the NBA to the EuroLeague
Napier began his professional career in the NBA with the Miami Heat in the 2014-15 season and went on to play a total of 354 games in the association, having also suited up for the Orlando Magic (2015-16), the Portland Trail Blazers (2016-18), the Brooklyn Nets (2018-19) and then both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards in the 2019-20 campaign.
In the summer of 2021, Napier agreed to join Zenit St. Petersburg, which was playing in the EuroLeague, but an injury early in the season prevented him from making his debut. Then, in late February 2022 he left the club due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Napier joined Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico in the G League in November 2022, but a few months later, in the final days of January 2023, he signed for Milan and made his long-awaited EuroLeague debut.