Agent: Marcin Gortat not playing in Russia

Jul 18, 2011, 3:03 PM | Updated: 4:09 pm

Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat is not headed to Russia to play basketball during the NBA lockout.

It was recently reported that Gortat had reached an agreement with a Russian team, but the center’s agent refutes said report.

“I can assure you that the story claiming that he has reached an agreement with Spartak St. Petersburg of Russia, is incorrect,” Gortat’s agent, Guy Zucker, said, according to HoopsHype. “While I have a lot of respect for Spartak St. Petersburg and its GM, Alex Karvanen, Gortat has not signed with or reached an agreement with Spartak St. Petersburg or any club whatsoever.”

The 6-foot-11 Polish native averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds in his 55 games with the Suns last season.

While this report denies Gortat has reached an agreement with a Russian team, it does not say he has ruled out playing overseas.

Phoenix may be the only team on Gortat’s radar for now, but if the lockout continues, he may be tempted to join other NBA players and travel overseas.

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Agent: Marcin Gortat not playing in Russia