Brown decides to play in Turkey

Utah Jazz backup point guard Dee Brown knew the writing was on the wall. The Jazz signed free agents Jason Hart and Ronnie Price during the offseason — who both happen to play point guard.

So even though Brown, a restricted free agent, had a qualifying offer from the Jazz, he will instead play the upcoming season in Turkey, he announced on his website blog on Saturday.

"It's official. I'm GONE!" Brown wrote ... "Next season I will be playing in Turkey and will be leaving this Wednesday."

While Brown had an offer from the Jazz, it was not guaranteed. He had worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks, but they instead matched an offer to retain Charlie Bell. Instead of taking his chances of making the team with the Jazz, he decided to take the sure money in Turkey.

"I was disappointed at first," Brown wrote, "because I wanted to play on a NBA team and stay in the states so I can stay by my family. At the end of the day, though, I'm blessed to play basketball and this is what I love to do. Sometimes you have to swallow your (pride) and this is what I had to do."

Brown was a college teammate and close friend of Jazz starting point guard Deron Williams, but both men understand the business nature of the NBA.

"I'm not upset (Brown's) not playing with us," Williams told the Deseret Morning News earlier this month. "I'm more upset that he doesn't have a job right now ... I think he definitely deserves a shot to play in this league. I think he's good enough to play in this league."

Brown, a second round draft pick for the Jazz in 2006, was the third string point guard for the Jazz last season behind Williams and Derek Fisher. He played in 49 games last season, averaging1.9 points and 1.7 assists per game.

Brown, in his blog, made it clear that his goal is to return to the NBA and that going to Turkey will not change that.

"I will continue to work and believe that God wouldn't just give up on me. This is just a small bump on the road," Brown wrote. "Playing overseas isn't as bad as I thought. Great talent and I will still be seen by NBA teams."

Jazz training camp will begin Oct. 1 with media day in Salt Lake City with two-a-day practices starting in Boise on Oct. 2.

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E-mail: lojo@desnews.com