Nathan Sobey powers to the basket against the Sydney Kings’ Aleks Maric. Picture: Daniel Kalisz (Getty Images)

That’s contingent on PAOK winning its March 8 Champions League match to continue into the next stage, beyond which the star 36ers guard will be eligible, besides playing in the Greek League and Greek Cup series.

“This will be my first time playing European basketball,” Sobey said.

“I just want to go experience basketball on a higher level and see what level I can compete at.”

Sobey, 26 and 193cm, will play as a “combo” guard, mainly in the shooting role but also spending time at the point.

He leaves Monday, the contract taking him through to late May, after which he will head to the US with his American-born fiancee CC Rode.

“We’ll go visit CC’s family in Albuquerque in New Mexico,” Sobey said.

“To get to the (NBA) Summer League is my ultimate goal, but we just have to see how that plays out.”

Sobey this season became the fifth 36er to win the NBL Most Improved Player award, joining Mark Bradtke (1989), Scott Ninnis (1993), Chris Blakemore (1994), and Daniel Johnson (2012).

He took his 2015-16 averages from 4.0 points at 37 per cent, 1.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.1 steals per game to 15.5 points at 44 per cent, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steal.

He has the player option on his 36ers contract next season.

“Obviously I love Adelaide and I want to come back,” he said.

Adelaide’s league Rookie of the Year, Anthony Drmic, has joined defending Premier League champion Southern Tigers, which loses championship-winner Sam Johns to the QBL’s Logan Thunder.

Adam Doyle and development guard Joel Spear will play SEABL, Doyle with Bendigo Braves and Spear with Albury Wodonga Border Bandits. Majok Deng will play locally at Forestville.

Originally published as Sixer Sobey joins Greek powerhouse