"It wasn't surprising to Allen Iverson's former Sixers teammates that he's playing basketball again.

It was surprising to them, however, that he had to go to Turkey to do it.

Iverson announced Friday in a press conference in New York City that he will join the Turkish team Beskitas, signing a two-year contract worth $4 million.

"I was surprised," Sixers guard Lou Williams said. "But he wanted to play. He's a competitor. He showed that by returning. I just wish him well."

Williams said he was also surprised that no other NBA team would take a chance on the 11-time All-Star, who has scored more than 24,000 points in his NBA career which began with the Sixers in 1996 when he was the first overall draft pick.

"The guy had a great career," Williams said. "I'm kind of surprised that every team in the league didn't think that he could help at all."

Iverson spent his first 10 1/2 seasons with the Sixers. Then he returned last December after Memphis had waived him and Iverson had retired briefly. He wasn't nearly as effective in his second go-around with the Sixers, averaging just 13.9 points per game, by far the lowest of his career.

He took two leaves of absences during the season to deal with family issues that turned out to be a daughter with an undisclosed illness and eventually a divorce from his wife.

Throughout the summer, Iverson had hoped that another NBA team would offer him a contract this season.

None did.

Now he's hoping to work his way back to the NBA.

"Let's hope that maybe him going over there will show that he's good enough to play, that he's got something in the tank, and it'll open up another opportunity here," Sixers coach Doug Collins said. "I just want him to be happy. At the end of the day, there's nothing like peace of mind."

Williams said Iverson still has enough left to warrant another chance in the NBA.

"He definitely can still play and he'll show that over there," Williams said. "Who knows what his opportunity will be like after that?""