POPS GETS OFFER FROM RAPS
06/30/2009

THE Toronto Raptors have offered GB forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu a contract for next season after he impressed in a short spell at the end of last term.

Mensah-Bonsu, 25, averaged a respectable 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 19 games for the Raptors last season.

The NBA outfit has now made him a "qualifying offer" - meaning that they have first refusal on Mensah-Bonsu should the Hackney-born star receive offers from rival clubs.

Mensah-Bonsu, who has already indicated he would prefer to stay with the Raptors, is a cornerstone of the GB team that will appear at the European Championship Finals in Poland in September.

Ian Whittell for 24/7.