DE Assistant Sports Editor

Another former Saluki basketball standout has joined the ranks of professional basketball, but not as a member of the NBA.

Marcus Timmons made his professional European debut with Italy’s Olympia Pistola last Thursday, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in an exhibition contest against another Italian League team.

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Timmons’ professional numbers are highly improved as compared to those he put up at SIUC. As a Saluki, Timmons averaged 11.5 points and eight rebounds per contest.

After a four year career at SIUC and a brief stint with the Connecticut Skyhawks of the United States Basketball Association, Timmons recently signed a contract with Pistola. The deal is a one year contract with an option year, salary terms undisclosed, according to Timmons’ agent Brian Wilkinson.

Despite the difference in the style of play in Europe, Herrin said Timmons’ talent will allow him to continue to play at his current level.

(European basketball players) don’t have great leaping ability and they don’t run the floor exteremely well, he said. They’re more physical and they shoot a lot more (than American players). Marcus will give them an added dimension because he’s able to do those things.

Marcus is such a talented player. He can pass, put the ball on the floor and score. Here, we let him play the 3 and 4 (small forward and power forward) spots, and he played well at both.

Ron Herrin, administrative assistant for Saluki basketball said that although Timmons has only been in Italy for about a week, he has adjusted well to his new surroundings.

He seems to be upbeat, he said. He feels he has a pretty good situation and things seem to be going pretty well for him so far.

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Rich Herrin said Timmons had a shot at making the NBA with a few teams, but the lockout all but ended it.

If there weren’t a lockout, he (Timmons) had scheduled tryouts with Detroit (Pistons), Utah (Jazz) and probably Chicago (Bulls), he said.

Two of Timmons’ former Saluki teammates, Chris Carr and Ian Stewart are awaiting their chances to dive into their pro careers.

Carr, who was drafted by the Pheonix Suns in the second round of the NBA draft, is being slowed by the current lockout. Stewart is still actively seeking a career in Europe and may one day face Timmons.

Rich Herrin said he is happy and proud of Timmons’ pro accompishments even if he never makes it to the NBA.

Marcus got a good contract and he’s playing basketball, he said. You can’t complain about that.

Whether or not you get drafted into the NBA, it really doesn’t make that much of a difference.