Former Temple Guard Signs Deal Overseas

Luis Guzman, the starting pointing guard in 2009-10, has signed a contract to play overseas in Slovakia for BK 04 AC LB SPISSKA NOVA VES, a professional team based in Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia.

Guzman was a team captain for the 29-6 Owls last season, and accomplished a few career highs in his final season as a member of the cherry and white. He posted 4.9 points per game, 3.2 assists per game, and 4.2 rebounds per game, which were all career highs for the 6-foot-3 guard.

He isn't the only former Temple guard heading overseas to play ball. Ryan Brooks announced earlier in August that he will be taking his game over to Germany to play for the LTi Giessen 46ers.

With the NBA being such a competitive league for incoming rookies, and since the guard position is quickly becoming a spot for dead-eye shooters, Brooks and Guzman's decision to go overseas is a rather smart move.

The competition outside of the United States isn't a drop off from the NBA, in fact, the level of physicality may be greater in Europe.

We'll continue to track both Brooks' and Guzman's progress overseas once the season gets underway.

Brooks Heading Overseas

Former Temple basketball star, Ryan Brooks, hoped to find a team in the NBA. Unfortunately, the NBA wasn’t the place for Brooks, but that doesn’t mean his basketball career is over. He will take his game overseas, where he will play for the LTi Giessen 46ers, a pro team in Germany.

The Lower Merion High alum finished his senior season at Temple boasting career highs in nearly every aspect. By seasons end, Brooks was averaging 14.3 points, 4,2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He and big man Lavoy Allen led Temple to a spot in the 64 team field known as March Madness, but fell short in their opening game against Cornell.

Following his senior season at Temple, Brooks joined the Philadelphia 76ers’ summer league team in Orlando. In his brief time as a Sixer, Brooks posted 4.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20 minutes per game during the Orlando Summer League.

His decision to play in Germany isn’t a bad choice, as he will be getting paid to play the game he loves, and who knows, if he can be a standout player in Germany, he may draw the attention of some NBA teams next season, and get another shot at his ultimate goal in life.