Shurna signs with New York Knicks

By Steven Goldstein

9:04 p.m. Sept. 10 2012

Northwestern’s all-time leading scorer has found an NBA home, heading from the Big Ten to the Big Apple to join the New York Knicks.

Shurna, who played in the NBA Summer League with the Atlanta Hawks, inked a one-year, partially guaranteed deal on Monday, per Chicago-based agent Mark Bartelstein.

The Glen Ellyn, Ill. native averaged 20 points a night for the Wildcats in 2011-12, touting a .463 shooting percentage and a 44 percent mark on three-pointers. Shurna becomes the 15th Wildcat to ever play in the pros. The last Northwestern alum to don an NBA jersey was center Evan Eschmeyer, who was a Wildcat from 1995-1999 and was then drafted 34th overall by the New Jersey Nets.

Shurna bears similarities to fellow Knick Steve Novak, a tall set shooter that can spread the floor. He will be brought on to allay New York’s long-ball woes. The team ranked 21st in the league in three point shooting percentage a year ago.

“Just talked to my man Shurna, out in NYC...couldn't be happier for him,” Northwestern point guard Dave Sobolewski tweeted. A similar post came from forward Drew Crawford, who was second in scoring behind Shurna last season for the Wildcats.

Shurna worked out for 13 NBA teams this summer but ultimately went undrafted. He looks to be a good fit for New York’s fast-paced system after spending his college career in coach Bill Carmody’s Princeton offense, which requires a lot of movement without the ball.

He will be teamed with former All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, as well as reigning Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler.