Tom Knight Leaves Durham for EuroChallenge Side Kataja

By Bradley Gains on October 2, 2014

Durham Wildcats have been dealt an early season blow with American centre Tom Knight deciding to leave the club to head to Finland with EuroChallenge side Kataja.

The 23-year-old Notre Dame graduate began his rookie season as a pro with an average of 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in Durham’s opening two games last weekend.

And Knight has now taken the opportunity to fight for a chance to play in the Finnish top flight with Kataja after being handed a 10-day trial.

The departure leaves Durham with a hole to fill, but while they search for a replacement Head Coach Lee Davie is refusing to panic.

“We are obviously disappointed to lose Tom,” he told the club’s website. “It was clear that he was going to make a big impact in the BBL but these things happen. He has an opportunity he simply feels that he cannot turn down.

“The timing is tough on us but the squad are continuing to develop as a group and I am confident that we will continue to progress. We will obviously be looking to bolster the squad again but we won’t rush into anything that doesn’t make sense – we have a group that we believe in and whilst we are all disappointed our focus is to build on what was a promising first weekend of the season.”

Durham have started the season with a 1-1 record after bouncing back from a defeat to Sheffield with a crushing win against BBL newcomers Leeds Force. Next up, the small matter of hosting the Newcastle Eagles – a team they have failed to beat in 14 previous BBL meetings.

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