Nick Fazekas signing with Petron Blaze in the Philippines

Nick Fazekas said Tuesday he is leaving the Reno Bighorns NBA Development League team to join the Petron Blaze of the Philippine Basketball Association. He will leave in mid-January for the Manila-based team.

The 6-foot-11 forward/center signed a contract for this season only.

Fazekas played six games with the Bighorns this season. The team is honoring him tonight ahead of its 7 p.m. game against Idaho at the Reno Events Center by offering $5 bowl tickets. Fazekas will be available to sign autographs from 6-7 p.m.

“The Bighorns have been great,” said Fazekas, who led the Wolf Pack to four trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2003-04, his freshman season. “They’ve given me an opportunity.”

“It’s a chance to play and make a little more money,” he said. “It’s less games, which is easier for me. It was just a no-brainer.”

He’ll be four inches taller than any of his teammates but said he expects to continue to play the power forward position.

“I hope to help the team out by scoring a lot of points,” said Fazekas, who played one year in the NBA and has also played in Europe. “I hope to bring my offensive abilities to the team. I don’t know a whole lot about it.”