While the NBA reigns as the world’s premier basketball league, emerging competitions are gaining recognition and attracting global talent. One such talent on the move is Patrick McCaw, formerly Stephen Curry‘s Warriors teammate, who had his sights set on Europe. The Belgian professional basketball team Filou Oostende recently inked a deal with the 27-year-old McCaw, recognizing his prowess on the court. The club competes domestically in the BNXT League and internationally in the Basketball Champions League.
The news quickly grabbed headlines and stirred a mix of reactions from fans. However, when he arrived in the foreign land, McCaw’s journey with the Belgian club hit a snag. Upon his airport arrival, McCaw faced immediate detention due to visa-related issues. The local authorities detained him before a new development emerged.
Stephen Curry’s Ex Warriors Teammate deported back to USA
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Patrick McCaw was undoubtedly the marquee signing for Ostend. However, McCaw encountered a significant hurdle in the passport control system upon his arrival. Mysteriously, his passport was labeled as?lost?or?stolen. Consequently, his passport was invalidated, leading to a transfer to the detainment center in Steenokkerzeel,?as reported by Sporza. After detaining him for four days, authorities have announced McCaw’s deportation back to his homeland.
REPORT: Pat McCaw’s new contract for Belgium team has been voided after spending four days in jail and being deported back to U.S. due to visa issues.
(via @sporza, https://t.co/yYvFC16FDE) pic.twitter.com/HAaKl09LXP
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 3, 2023
Johan Vande Lanotte, a former Belgian Minister of Economy and Deputy Prime Minister, visited McCaw at the detainment center to secure his release. However, despite Vande Lanotte’s legal expertise, he could not help the player.
As a result, the Belgian team terminated their contract with Pat, putting an end to his basketball plans for now. While the coastal team initially celebrated McCaw’s arrival a few weeks ago, the American’s transfer has turned into an unexpected ordeal for Ostend. Furthermore, his search for a professional role seems restricted as he won’t regain his passport for several months.?
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McCaw lifted 3 straight NBA trophies with the Warriors and Raptors
Many may not recall that Patrick McCaw’s NBA journey began as part of the legendary Stephen Curry camp. As the 38th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Milwaukee Bucks chose Pat before quickly trading him to Dubsnation. McCaw’s NBA career boasts one of the most impressive championship runs in league history, securing three consecutive titles between 2016 and 2019.
He learned about the Warriors’ winning culture in his rookie year and won two championships. After a challenging second season, he joined the Toronto Raptors. He won another title, becoming the first player since the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal era to win three consecutive championships. However, despite having a decorated NBA resume by his side, McCaw has struggled to find a role in the NBA. McCaw participated in the FIBA AmeriCup with Team USA to stay in the game. He has also been a critical player for the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League since February 2022.
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This year, McCaw had the honor of hoisting yet another trophy. He played a crucial role in helping Delaware secure its first-ever championship.