Celtics’ Shaw Reportedly Will Play in Italy

Brian Shaw, the Boston Celtics’ first-round draft choice from UC Santa Barbara in 1988, has signed a two-year contract for nearly $2 million with Messaggero Rome, the team that signed Danny Ferry last week, according to a KNBC report Wednesday night.

Shaw, a starter in the Celtics’ backcourt last season, has the option of returning to the National Basketball Assn. after one year, KNBC said. All his expenses, including housing, will be paid by owners of the Italian League team.

Ferry, selected No. 2 in last June’s draft by the Clippers, opted to sign with the Roman team instead of starting his professional career in the NBA. His signing was considered a coup by European basketball.

Shaw, a 6-foot-6 point guard who became a starter last season, which led the Celtics to trade Danny Ainge to the Sacramento Kings, averaged the most playing time by a Boston rookie since Kevin McHale in 1980-81.

Shaw’s defection will be a blow to the Celtics, but also will lend more credibility to Italy’s pro league. U.S. players have such as Bob McAdoo, Darren Daye, Larry Drew and Norm Nixon have been popular in Italy, but until Ferry--and now Shaw--the league was unable to lure the NBA’s rising stars.

Shaw, who attended Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, was the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. player of the year his senior season for UC Santa Barbara.