Last summer, Denzell Erves passed on offers to play professional basketball in Portugal and Italy.This time around, he wasn’t about to let another European opportunity pass him by.

Erves, a former Vicksburg High star, has signed a one-year pro contract with SC Rist Wedel of Germany’s Bundesliga ProB league.

Erves played college basketball with Xavier University in New Orleans, and had two offers to play in Europe after graduating last year. He held out for more money, then said he realized he’d better not let another shot at turning pro slip away.

“I wanted a little more money, and I didn’t realize how hard it was to get a job,” Erves said. “I knew I could play. And being in Atlanta now, my agent knows a lot of connections in the NBA and overseas. He told me I could do anything I put my mind to, and I believe him.”

Erves, a 23-year-old 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 13.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game during his senior season at Xavier. He was a third-team NAIA All-American.

Erves finished his college career as Xavier’s all-time leader in blocked shots, with 132.

He’s spent the past year in Atlanta. He’s stayed in basketball game shape by playing in the semi-pro Universal Basketball League and the International Basketball League.

Rist coach Michael Claxton said in a team release that Erves’ ability to both score and defend made him a desirable free agent pick-up. Erves was the first player Claxton signed after he was hired as coach.

“Denzell is an athletic wing player who brings versatility, so that he can play different positions,” Claxton said. “Thanks to his size and power he can act with his back to the basket, his good shot allows him also to shoot from middle distance. We are glad to have found a player that will help our team defensively and offensively.”

The Bundesliga ProB season begins in mid-August, and Erves plans to go to Germany a few days before practice starts. While he’ll likely adjust quickly on the court, life off it might take a bit longer. Erves said he’s never been outside the United States.

“It’s going to definitely be a new experience for me. It’s going to give me a different outlook in life, interacting with a different culture. It’s going to help me grow as a man,” Erves said. “It’s the first step toward a goal, which is the NBA. I look at it as a stepping stone. It’s definitely going to be a great experience.”

Erves added that his family’s support helped make the decision to spend at least a year abroad an easy one.

“My parents and family are a big part of my success,” he said. “They’ve all supported me since high school, and never not believed in me. They’re a big portion of why I played basketball.”

Erves is the second former Vicksburg High player this summer to sign with a European pro team.

Mychal Ammons, who played college ball at South Alabama, signed with Feni Indistrija of the Macedonian First League in May.

Another former Gator, Jonathan Phelps, has been playing with the Jackson Showboats of the American Basketball Association.

Erves, Ammons and Phelps all played toghether with Vicksburg High in the 2007-08 season, and Erves and Ammons were teammates in the 2008-09 season as well.