Jazz swingman Quincy Lewis going to play in Isreal

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Lewis not afraid to play in Israel

By Tim Buckley

Deseret News sports writer

Quincy Lewis is well-aware of the potential dangers.

But when it comes right down to it, the former Jazz first-round draft choice isn't afraid to hang his hat in a region in conflict.

The free-agent swingman out of the University of Minnesota suggested Friday he had no qualms about accepting a reported $1.4 million deal to play next season for Israeli League powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Later Friday, Lewis' agent, Bill Duffy, said the deal was essentially done and all that remained was for paperwork to be signed.

"It might be the best situation for me, all things considered," Lewis, who has spent his entire three-season NBA career in Utah, said Friday from Minneapolis, where he is spending much of the offseason.

Lewis says what he does even while understanding the realities of continuing and escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians in that part of that world.

"Definitely, you have to take that into consideration," Lewis said, "but from the people I've talked to overseas, pretty much, in general, you know what the hot spots are, you stay out of them, and you'll be OK.

"It's just their way of life over there," he added. "That conflict has been going on forever."

Watching it from afar, however, is one thing. Voluntarily putting yourself in the middle of it is another altogether.

Still, Lewis thinks doing just that may be in his best interest.

The Jazz did not initially rule out the possibility of re-signing Lewis, their top selection (No. 19 overall) in the 1999 NBA Draft. But that chance diminished tremendously when Utah revealed plans to sign Denver Nuggets free-agent swingman Calbert Cheaney to a one-year deal reportedly worth $1 million.

After recently starting for their summer-league team in Boston, Lewis also drew interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the ex-Gopher probably would have had to accept a less-lucrative offer to play for the 'Wolves.

"We could have gotten a minimum-guaranteed (contract) with Minnesota," Duffy said, "but Quincy needs to play."

With all that in mind, signing with Maccabi Tel Aviv — where he stands to get all the minutes he can handle — appears to be Lewis' best bet.

Even if it does mean delving into a danger zone.

"You know, the United States ain't doing too much better," Lewis said. "People aren't going around blowing each other up, but, if you look at the news, there's little girls getting kidnapped and people getting murdered all the time.

"We have it good here," he added, "but it's just like anywhere else: We have places in the United States you just don't go. If you do, you get in trouble."

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