We’ve seen men’s and women’s basketball players with Utah ties recently get opportunities during NBA Summer League, while others played alongside legends at WNBA training camps.
Some of that dust has settled recently as many of those players have officially signed professional contracts. Those deals, however, did not come from professional teams in the United States, but rather overseas.
Four players with Utah ties, three of them from BYU, will start their pro careers in Europe.
Alex Barcello (BYU)
Alex Barcello signed with Kolossos Rhodes BC in Greece. The team, which plays in the top-level Green League, announced the move Friday on its Twitter account.
Barcello went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, but got the opportunity to work out with several NBA teams before playing in the NBA Summer League with the Toronto Raptors.
Paisley Harding (BYU) and Connor Harding (Utah Valley)
BYU's Paisley Harding (13) reacts after making a 3-point shot against Gonzaga during the first half of an NCAA women's championship college basketball game at the West Coast Conference tournament Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Barcello’s fellow Cougar, Paisley Harding, will play in Germany for the GiroLive-Panthers Osnabrück in the Toyota 1st Women’s Basketball Bundesliga. Her husband, Conner, who played at Utah Valley University and BYU, signed with WWU Baskets Münster in the BARMER ProA Bundesliga in Germany.
Brandon Horvath (Utah State)
Then there’s former Utah State player Brandon Horvath, who inked a deal in France with Saint-Quentin in the French second division. Saint-Quentin is former Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s hometown.
Earlier this year, former BYU women’s players Sara Hamson and Maria Albeiro signed overseas contracts of their own. Hamson signed with the Knox Raiders in the Australia NBL1, and Albiero played 12 games with Blumanau in Brazil and averaged 11.3 points, 4.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds.
