ISU basketball is going global once again.

Former Cyclone star Craig Brackins has signed a contract with Maccabi Ashdod of the the Israeli Super League. The Palmdale, Calif., native is joining a host of other NBA players, as well as former teammate Diante Garrett, to sign contracts overseas.

“It was a decision that I made probably three weeks ago,” Brackins said. “I felt instead of sitting around and working out, being uncertain about the lockout, that I felt like I had to go play.”

Brackins didn’t see much, if any, playing time on an NBA floor last season, but did see some action in the NBA D-League. The forward played in 18 games, averaging 20.1 ppg and 44 percent from the field.

His goal, he said, was to use his time in Israel to hone his skills and show people back home what he’s capable of. Because once the lockout ends, he’s coming right back.

“I have an NBA-out in my contract, so it’s not just me signing for the whole year,” Brackins said. “If the NBA doesn’t call back, I’m there for the whole year.”

Aside from just getting to play the game, Brackins is most looking forward to playing with guys he’s played with and against before.

Brackins said he loves the idea of getting to play against good friends and enjoying the friendly rivalry.

“A lot of my friends actually are in the Israeli league [that Maccabi Ashdod belongs to],” Brackins said. “Trevor Booker is one of my good friends, and he’s one of the guys that’s on a rival team. It’s kind of cool that I’ll be seeing a lot of my friends. It makes it tougher because they know your game and you know their’s. You’re always trying to go at each other, but then laugh about it at the end of the game.”

The connections aren’t just limited to other teams. Brackins said he knows a few players on Maccabi Ashdod already, including former Texas A&M guard Josh Carter — someone Brackins saw a few times in Hilton Coliseum — and former Florida forward Alex Tyus.

“They reached out to me and told me they were excited that I’m coming onto the team, and they can’t wait till I get there,” Brackins said. “They said they like the city and the fans treat them well.”

Overall, Brackins is excited to head to Israel despite any unrest that might be in the Middle East.

“All the people that reached out to me that have been there before say ‘I love the country,'” Brackins said. “That stuff didn’t bother them, so I don’t really see it bothering me.”

Brackins is set to leave for Israel on Sept. 5, and gets ready to play in October. His play overseas very well could earn him playing time for his NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

He said the physical play and roucous crowds will ready him for what it might be like in an NBA arena.

“If I show what I do, if I put it out there and play well and give them something to see, to show that I improved, I think it can help me,”  Brackins said. “I think it can help my game because overseas is a whole different type of play. It’s a different type of atmosphere playing there than anywhere else.”