Raivio signs with Belgian team

Nik Raivio is heading to Belgium.

The former Mountain View High School standout signed a two-year contract last Friday with Belgacom Liege, a professional basketball team based in Liege, Belgium.

“I’m excited to explore Europe and get back to speaking French again,” said Raivio, who was born in Belgium.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Raivio recently participated in the Portland Trail Blazers’ Summer League training camp.

He averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists during a three-year career at the University of Portland. However, a foot injury plagued Raivio during his senior season, and he was not selected in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Raivio, 24, said he turned down offers from teams in Germany and Australia because of the high level of competition Belgacom Liege competes against.

“My agent (Brad Ames) said it would be better to pass up on a little more money for a better situation, so that’s what I’m doing,” Raivio said.

Raivio will join his older brother, Derek, a fellow ex-Thunder star who also plays pro ball in Europe.

Check Wednesday’s Columbian for more about this story …