Basketball: Aussie NBA star signs with Melbourne

Patty Mills. Photo / Getty Images

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Patty Mills has signed a 2011-12 season contract to play for the Melbourne Tigers in Australia's National Basketball League during the NBA lockout.

Basketball Australia chief executive Larry Sengstock said in a statement Monday that Mills had turned down more lucrative offers from European teams to play in Australia.

Mills is in Australia preparing with the national team for Olympic qualifying matches against New Zealand. The NBL season begins on Oct. 7 and runs to the end of next March.

- AAP