Metta World Peace to Pallacanestro Cantu: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Metta World Peace has surfaced on the basketball court once again. This time, however, he's headed to Italy, as he's signed with Italian League club Pallacanestro Cantu.

The team tweeted the news Tuesday:

Marissa Payne of The Washington Post provided more comments from the team on the signing:

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In a longer article about the signing, the team called it “the coup of the century.”

“This could be the right shock needed to reinvigorate the team at a crucial time in our season,” Cantu team President Anna Cremascoli said in a statement about the former NBA forward.

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In an NBA career that lasted 15 years, in which he played for the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, World Peace averaged 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. At his peak, he was an excellent defender, dogged rebounder and an exceptional scoring option, namely in his time with the Pacers and Kings.

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He was a one-time NBA All-Star and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004.

He'll likely be a dominant force in Italy, much as he was in China. Though at 35 years old, it appears his NBA career is over.