Gaffney to Israel

Here are a few paragraphs from the (Springfield, Mass.) Republican updating Tony Gaffney's next move:

"Well it certainly didn't take former UMass star Tony Gaffney long to recover from his departure from the Lakers. He's headed to Israel to play professional basketball.

"Which does not come as a surprise at all. In August Tony signed a pro contract with Hapoel Gilboa Galil Elyon, a team in the top professional league in Israel. Gaffney will be joined by three other former college players from the United States. Jeremy Pargo, a point guard from Gonzaga, Dion Dowell , who played at Texas and the University of Houston, and Brian Randall who played at Illinois. Interestingly enough Gaffney will be one of the tallest players on the team.

"In seven preseason games with the Lakers, Gaffney averaged 3.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.7 minutes.

"Gaffney, an undrafted forward, finished his senior year with the Minutemen averaging a double-double with 11.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

"The 6-8 forward was ranked third in the nation in blocked shots (3.8) and was named the 2009 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Gaffney was a member of the 2009 Lakers summer league team, where he averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in four games played.

"This is obviously great news for Tony Gaffney. He's a terrific kid, a solid college player, and now has a chance to refine his skills against pro competition, and perhaps return to the NBA one day."