After spending last season getting accustomed with NBA life with the cellar-dwelling Memphis Grizzlies, Juan Carlos Navarro returned to Spain, and signed a five-year contract with Regal F.C. Barcelona.

In his first season back in Spain, Juan Carlos Navarro is the Euroleague’s 2008-09 MVP.

In his return season; the 28-year old Navarro had a fantastic 2008-09 for Regal F.C. Barcelona averaging 14.7 points per game, 3.6 assists, 1.6 rebounds, as well as shooting 49.1% from the two point, and 93.5% from the free-throw line.  His full season ranking of 15.1 was good for sixth overall in the Euroleague.

Navarro’s 3.6 assists were a career-high.

The 6-3 shooting guard was also named to the All-Euroleague First Team, along with Terrell McIntyre (USA), Igor Rakocevic (Serbia), Ioannis Bourousis (Greece), and Nikola Pekovic (Montenegro).  The second team featured Theo Papaloukas and Vassilis Spanoulis both of Greece,  Ramunas Siskauskas (Lithuania), Erazem Lorbek (Slovenia), and Tiago Splitter (Brazil).

Navarro, whom was also All-Euroleague in 2006 and 2007, led his Spanish club over Olympiakos on their way to claiming third place in the Euroleague playoffs.

Links and Resources: 2008-09 All-Euroleague Team, MVP Announced (Interbasket), CSKA Moscow advances; downs F.C. Barcelona 82-78 (Interbasket), 2009 Euroleague Champions! PAO defeat CSKA 73-71 (Interbasket), FC Barcelona advances to Euroleague Final Four (Interbasket), Juan Carlos Navarro leaves the NBA after just one season (Interbasket), Euroleague 2008-09 Nominations (Euroleague.net)