International Notes: McLemore, Thornwell, Musa, Dragic

Free agent guard Ben McLemore, who played nine NBA seasons from 2013-2022, has signed with Turkish club Yukatel Merkezefendi, the team announced (via Twitter). The 31-year-old former lottery pick spent last season with AEK Athens (Greece) and CB Breogan (Spain).

McLemore was arrested and jailed in Oregon in April and faces multiple felony sexual assault charges. The charges, which include first-degree rape, stem from an alleged incident in 2021, when McLemore was a member of the Trail Blazers.

Here are a few more international notes:

• Former NBA wing Sindarius Thornwell has signed a one-year contract with Zastal Zielona Gora, the Polish team confirmed in a press release (Twitter link). As Dario Skerletic of Sportando notes, Thornwell spent last season in Russia playing for Avtodor Saratov. A former second-round pick (48th overall in 2017), Thornwell played four NBA seasons with the Clippers, Pelicans and Magic, last suiting up for Orlando during the 2020/21 season.
• Real Madrid star Dzanan Musa is discussing a contract extension with the Spanish powerhouse, he told Emela Burdzovic of Klix.ba. The former Nets guard/forward said he hasn’t ruled out a potential NBA return, but he’s not focused on that possibility right now. “Talks for a new contract are underway, but that does not mean I have other plans,” Musa said, per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. “Of course, there is a possibility of returning to the United States, but I do not want to talk about it. I am very happy at Real, and I hope that with a good offer, I can stay at Real for many years.” Still just 25 years old, Musa was the 29th pick of the 2018 draft.
• The Slovenian basketball federation has retired Goran Dragic‘s No. 3 jersey ahead of his farewell game on Saturday, relays Askounis of Eurohoops. “Words and actions are not enough to express gratitude and respect for such a great player as Goran Dragic,” noted KZS president Matej Erjavec. “His extraordinary career, his approach to wearing the jersey of the Slovenian national team, and his success on the court speak for themselves. Goran Dragic deserves to be honored for everything he has done for Slovenian basketball.” Dragic helped lead Slovenia to a EuroBasket title in 2017, claiming MVP honors in the process.