By agreeing to play for Cantu, an Italian team in the European Basketball League, former Ohio State standout David Lighty made the smartest of moves.

In fact, one could argue Lighty is better off now than if he had been selected in the recent NBA Draft.

Now, at least he will be playing.

Let's look at it this way - if Lighty had been drafted, he would be sitting for as long as this current NBA lockout exists. Everything points to that being a long time.

It's possible the lockout could wipe out the entire 2011-12 season, that's how far apart the sides are from getting this labor dispute settled.

If Lighty had been selected in the second round of this year's draft, or simply chose to sign a free-agent contract with someone when the lockout ends, he would be be at a disadvantage when the NBA finally gets back on the court. He would potentially be going into a training camp with this year's first-rounders AND next year's first-rounders (if the lockout goes that long).

A second-round draft pick who hasn't played competitively in two years - or a free agent who hasn't done so - going into a training camp with two years worth of first-round draft picks just doesn't stand much of a chance.

Lighty did the right thing.

While this year's (and may next's) are sitting on their hands waiting for the lockout to end, Lighty will be in Europe playing basketball, honing his skills and probably adding a portion of the European game to his repetoire that could benefit him greatly in the future.

By playing in Europe, not only is Lighty making money, but he is also improving a resume that apparently wasn't strong enough to get him drafted.

Lighty tweeted recently that he WILL play in the NBA someday. His choice to play in Europe during this nasty NBA lockout betters those chances exponentially.

- John Kampf