July 21, 2008

NASHVILLE (WVLT/AP) -- Former University of Tennessee star Chris Lofton has signed a one-year contract with a professional basketball team in Mersin, Turkey.

Lofton's agent, Eric Fleischer, confirmed the deal Monday for The Tennessean newspaper, but would not disclose financial terms.

However, Sports Overtime's sports partners at govolsxtra.com and the Knoxville News-Sentinel are reporting that Lofton's hope of making an NBA team are still very much alive.

Mike Griffith talked with Lofton Monday night. The ex-Vol told him that he will still go to an NBA training camp--at this point, it's unknown which one. If Lofton can land on an NBA team, the contract with the Turkey squad becomes null and void. If the Kentucky native doesn't sign with an NBA team, then the Turkey deal will go into effect.

After not being selected in the NBA Draft last month, Lofton played for the Denver Nuggets' summer team in Las Vegas but spent most of the time on the bench.

Lofton holds the Southeastern Conference's career record for 3-point baskets with 431.