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Deron's Turkey move pends FIBA approval

ISTANBUL- Daily News | 7/20/2011 12:00:00 AM |

Beşiktaş has announced the signing of NBA star Deron Williams, but the transfer will only be finalized after the International Basketball Federation, or FIBA, approves the transfer.

Beşiktaş has announced the signing of NBA star Deron Williams, but the transfer will only be finalized after the International Basketball Federation, or FIBA, approves the transfer.

FIBA will have the final say on the deal, which has been made possible by the lockout in the National Basketball Association, or NBA.

The Istanbul club was in talks with the New Jersey Nets point guard, but the official agreement was announced late Tuesday. Williams announced the deal on his Twitter account last weekend as well. “Just made it official, headed to Turkey: signed with Besiktas@BJK_Basketbol,” he wrote.

Beşiktaş, which also boasts NBA legend Allen Iverson in its squad, will be able to keep Williams on a rolling contract that will see him leave as soon as the lockout ends.

The Williams transfer was funded by the sponsorship of Milangaz and Moil, Anatolia news agency reported. Largely heralded as one of the two top point guards in the league, along with the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul, Williams averaged 20.1 points and 10.3 assists for the Nets and the Utah Jazz last season.

Beşiktaş wanted to capitalize on the NBA lockout with another marquee move, and went for Kobe Bryant. However, the team, which is sweating under football match-fixing allegations, has had difficulties finding the funds to meet

Bryant’s reported demand of $1 million per month.