BYU forward Eric Mika (12) walks on the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
BYU forward Eric Mika (12) walks on the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) Young Kwak, AP
Ryan McDonald
By Ryan McDonald

Eric Mika is headed to Italy.

The former Lone Peak and BYU standout has signed to play with the club Pallancestro Pesaro on the eastern coast of the country, the team announced. Pesaro competes in Lega Basket Serie A, the top league in Italy.

For the 6-foot-10, 230-pound Mika, the move to Italy will be a reunion of sorts. He and his wife Gabrielle both served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there.

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Mika had a fantastic sophomore season for the Cougars during the 2016-17 campaign, averaging 20.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but he still surprised many when he declared for the NBA draft and hired an agent, forfeiting the remainder of his collegiate eligibility.

He participated in the NBA Draft Combine, and then after going undrafted, played for the Miami Heat's summer league entry.

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Mika began his prep career at Waterford, but then transferred to Lone Peak where he teamed up with Nick Emery and TJ Haws to win the MaxPreps.com national title in 2013. He was a consensus Top 50 prospect in the country.

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