Jonny Flynn inks new deal with Melbourne

Jonny Flynn (183 cm, Syracuse’09) spent the last three seasons in the NBA, banked salaries in excess of $9.5m, and is taking his game down under after being released by the Detroit Pistons and signing a deal with the Melbourne Tigers (Australia-NBL). Flynn played his final collegiate ball at Syracuse in 2009 (sophomore year), leading the Orangemen to finals of the Big East Tournament and averaging 17.4 points and 6.0 assists per game over 38 games. He was a first round pick (Lottery Pick – 6th overall) of the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played for two seasons before getting traded to the Houston Rockets.

His rookie season he started in 81 games and averaged 13.5 points and 4.4 assists per contest. Following his rookie season he had to undergo surgery on his hip that kept him off the court for four months and he found it difficult to get his rhythm back fighting through rehab and conditioning. His second season saw a sharp decline in production and playing time as he only averaged 5.3 points per game over 53 games, starting in only eight and getting over 10 minutes per game less court time. After getting traded to the Rockets his time and numbers dropped even further and the Rockets dealt him to Portland. In his 18 games with the Trailblazers he averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 assists per contest on 15.6 minutes. At the end of the 2011-12 season he wasn’t resigned by Portland and became a free agent. Detroit picked him up at the beginning of October, but waived him near the end of training camp.

Flynn was expected to be on the court with the Tigers yesterday, but due airline schedules to Hurricane Sandy he couldn’t get a flight out. He’s now expected to suit up early this week. His contract reportedly comes with an out clause should another NBA deal come his way.