New Mexico basketball: Hugh Greenwood signs with Perth Wildcats in Australia

Former New Mexico Lobos guard Hugh Greenwood is not heading to the NBA to play professional basketball, but he is heading back home to Australia as he was signed by the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League.

The signing was earlier this month, but still relevant with the NBA Draft being held on Thursday. Greenwood is currently playing with Australia at the World University Games in China, and his national team coach Andrej Lemanis see's Greenwood as a star in the league.

"The thing about Hughie is he's very poised and coming into the NBL environment, a professional environment is something that won't take him long to adjust to," Lemanis said. "He's been on the fringes of the Boomers team for some time. He brings a defensive intensity and presence which is a skill he can use to advantage.

"I think he will transition nicely into it and I think he will be able to have an immediate, positive impact at the Wildcats. He has an ability to slot in with his teammates and really make the whole better."

While Greenwood is focused playing for his country and his focus is on the WUG's and not the NBA Draft, but he knows there are other avenues to get to the NBA if his name is not called, which it wasn't.

"It's a chance to represent your country knowing that if you do well, there's opportunities to do bigger things with the Boomers and onto the Olympic stage," Greenwood said. "That's another path to get into the NBA. There's different ways to get there - it doesn't necessarily have to come through the Draft."

Also, the Wildcats are flexible if an NBA team wants to add Greenwood to a summer league team.

"If my name is called, or if a team does fly me over following the Summer League and that eventuates, then Perth are more than happy for me to chase my dream," he said.