So sad to leave: panthers most talented star player announces his leaving due to..
NFL players playing basketball? Austin Rivers doesn’t buy it. However, there’s a twist. Despite Rivers suggesting that NFL players wouldn’t make it in the NBA, one former Carolina Panthers player is challenging that notion. That player is now the first NFL athlete to ink a deal to play professional basketball, though not in the NBA.
Devin Funchess, the former Panthers receiver, has signed on to play for the Caribbean Storm Llaneros in the Professional Colombia Basketball League. Interestingly, Funchess sealed this deal on April 22, well before Rivers’ remarks.
Having been drafted in the second round in 2015 and playing for five NFL teams, Funchess has quite the football resume. However, he hasn’t seen action in the NFL since 2019. Now, he’s redirecting his focus towards realizing his long-held ambition of making it in the NBA.
Funchess transitioned to basketball training in December 2022, coinciding with his fading interest in football. By November 2023, he made his professional basketball debut with Statham Academy in the Philippines. Now, he’s secured a contract for a 28-game season in Colombia.
Although Funchess might not be the first name that springs to mind in discussions about NFL players crossing over to the NBA, he’s determined to silence doubters. His debut in Colombia already showcases his prowess, utilizing his 6-foot-4 stature to dominate the boards for his new team.
