Former Syracuse point guard and 2009 NBA No. 6 overall draft pick Jonny Flynn signed a deal with the Melbourne Tigers of Australia’s National Basketball League, the club announced Monday.

Flynn was selected as a lottery pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves three years ago behind Ricky Rubio before averaging 13.5 points and 4.4 assists per game in his rookie season. His playing time dropped off sharply in his second season while struggling with a hip injury and featuring for the D-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.

He played 29 games total in the 2011-12 season. The Detroit Pistons signed and cut Flynn this preseason before Melbourne signed him Monday, according to The New Zealand Herald.  He could debut as soon as Friday night against the Adelaide 36ers at Hisense Arena. Former SU teammates played for Melbourne from 2010-11.

Flynn was named conference co-Rookie of the Year in 2008 and capped his SU career with a 34-point, 11-assist performance in playing 67 of 70 minutes as the Orange beat UConn in six overtimes. SU went on to win the Big East Championship and Flynn won tournament MVP. He declared for the draft after the Orange lost in the Sweet 16.

In the Melbourne Tigers’ press release, Flynn’s signing was called a “coup.”

Melbourne head coach Chris Antsey called Flynn “possibly the highest credentialed player in the prime of his career to play in the  NBL.”