American player left stranded and unpaid, sends distress signal from Montenegro / News - Basketnews.com

American forward Elyjah Williams was going through a real tragedy in Montenegro. His club hasn't paid him for five months, club officials were turning a deaf ear, and he had no money to return to the United States

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An incredible basketball story comes from Montenegro, where Elyjah Williams started his overseas career after finishing college.

Recently, he was practically trapped in the Balkan country. Fortunately, his case was solved a few days ago.

The power forward spent the season at KK Decic, but it turned out to be a disastrous experience for him. He hasn't been paid for his work for five months, and the club's front office has stopped communicating with him. Consequently, he had no money to return to the US.

The player opened up to the Montenegrin media on his situation, and on that occasion, he also described how difficult the year was for him – so much so that the team's imports had to borrow money from friends to buy food.

"My situation is very difficult," Williams said.

"I came here with another American, Donnie Tillman, and we just didn't get the money right away. We didn't have practice gear either. Then, Tillman got injured and the president said that he would no longer pay him.

Now it's over, he had to go back home and I'm left here alone. I haven't received a salary for five months, it's very difficult," said Williams, 23.

The player was supposed to receive 1,100 euros a month, but for his teammate, things were even worse.

"Tillman had a salary of 500 euros at that time. It is difficult to live on 500 euros. As for me, I had no money to get basic things, not even sneakers. Now, I'm running out of money for food, I had to ask for 20 euros.

I asked the management for an explanation and they told me that it will be taken care of, so now that the season is over I will be able to return home, but I can't yet. They promised to pay my way home, but they didn't."

The American basketball player practically became homeless in Montenegro, because he has no income or contact with people from the club he played for.

"I simply have nothing from my salary. I didn't even have a place to stay. I'm still waiting for that, and I constantly texted the president of the club. At first, he replied that he would send me my salary, but then he blocked me. I am now waiting for a concrete answer, to be told if I can return home."

Williams then continued about his struggles.

"You know, this is a very difficult situation. This is a foreign country for me, I don't speak the language. I don't know what I'm going to do, and I don't have any money yet. Everything is very difficult indeed. I try to think positively and say that I am blessed to be in this position to be able to cross an ocean to play in another country," said Williams, who was being helped by friends.

"I currently live in Podgorica with some of my friends from the football club. They hosted me, great guys. They helped me, they are literally like family to me now. They not only helped me, they saved me and try to help me as much as they can," the young athlete added.

"However, right now, I would really give anything to be able to go back home," he pointed out.

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