Warrnambool export Nathan Sobey signs with European basketball club Paok BC

Sobey captured the attention of overseas scouts during his career-best season for NBL semi-finalist Adelaide 36ers.

The athletic guard inked a deal with Paok BC, which plays in Greek and champions league competitions, on Friday during a whirlwind visit home to the south-west.

He expects to spend two to three months in Europe as he strives to make the NBA summer league in July.

“I’ve always wanted to go as far as I can with basketball, that was always the goal,” Sobey said.

“I will experience something in a different part of the world and the competition is very strong and a good test to see where I am at.

“There are a lot of structured offences and high IQ players, so it will be tough.”

Sobey said earning a NBA summer league call up was his main priority before the start of the 2017-18 NBL season.

“I know they don’t sign for the summer league until the end of March but my agents are doing work behind the scenes,” he said.

Sobey’s commitment to Paok BC follows his rapid rise, coming just over six months after he led his Big V home club Warrnambool Seahawks to their first championship in 18 years.

The high-flying scorer then elevated himself to be among the NBL’s best players, earning most improved and all-star second team honours in the most even Australian season in years.

Sobey helped  youth-laden Adelaide to the minor premiership before it bowed out unexpectedly to Illawarra in the playoffs on its home floor.

“I have had to time think about it and reflect on the season and while it was disappointing the way we went out, we did a lot of stuff this year no one thought we’d do, so it was pretty positive,” he said.

The 36ers expect to maintain the bulk of their roster next season with Sobey excited about the Joey Wright-led side’s prospects.

“A lot of us are still signed and we’ll try and get our core imports back,” he said.