Sept. 4, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A pair of recent University of Maryland standouts have landed with new European professional teams recently.

Nik Caner-Medley, who played at Maryland from 2003 to 2006, has signed with MMT Estudiantes Madrid in Spain's top league, the ACB. Jamar Smith, a Terrapin for two seasons in 2002-03 and 2003-04, will play with Trekwalder Pallacanestro Reggiana of Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Caner-Medley averaged 10.7 points and eight rebounds last year with Cajasol Seville in the ACB league. This season will be his third playing professionally in Spain.

In a release, MMT Estudiantes sports director Nacho Azofra said, "He's a player who is very familiar with the ACB. I'm sure he will create a strong connection with the fans of the `Stu' because he gives it all on the court: maximum intensity and pure heart."

Smith averaged 7.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes a game last year for Fastweb Casale Monferrato in Italy's Lega2 league.

Smith's new coach Ramagli said "We have added to our roster a veteran player who has already had substantial experience in Lega and which may be of great help to our young players. He is a very technical player who has returned from a very positive experience in Casale Monferrato, where he helped lead his team to the semifinals and earn a promotion to Serie A. He has good hands on offense and improved his defensive impact a lot last season. His integration will be an important addition to our team.