Montenegro international Nikola Pekovic has signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sorting out his club future to leave him free to concentrate on the upcoming EuroBasket qualifying campaign.

Pekovic was a second-round draft pick by the Timberwolves in 2008, but remained in Europe with Panathinaikos where he averaged 12.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while winning both the league and cup crowns.

"We are excited to have Nikola join the Minnesota Timberwolves," said David Kahn, Timberwolves president of basketball operations. "Nikola has been regarded as the best center in Europe for the past few seasons and will be a tremendous addition to our club. He is a tough, hard-nosed player who brings an added dimension of physicality to our team. We look forward to him bringing his talents to the United States and the NBA."

The 24-year-old Pekovic will head to the United States after helping Montenegro in their bid to get through Group A of EuroBasket qualifying, where they will face Finland, Italy, Latvia and Israel. 

Green Headed To The Island

Gran Canaria have continued to strengthen their roster ahead of their EuroCup campaign by signing American guard Taurean Green.

Green, a former second-round NBA pick and an NCAA Championship winner at Florida, spent last season at AEK Athens but previously played in Spain with Zaragoza.

He averaged 15.5 points and 3.5 assists per game with Athens.

Meanwhile, Belgacom Liege have also been building and have now confirmed the signing of Nik Raivio.

The guard, who finished college with the University of Portland earlier this year, has signed a one-year deal.