Nick Novak is back in the states with a new house, a baby on the way and a basketball motor that won’t slow down.
The former Franklin Regional star, who has been around the globe and back playing professionally for the last seven years, is playing this season for the DuBois Dream of the four-team Premier Basketball League.
The semi-professional league opened last weekend, and Novak quickly reminded teammates, opponents and fans he can rack up the points.
Novak made his league debut to the tune of 55 points, including 27 in the fourth quarter, to set a DuBois single-game record as the Dream fell 105-104 to Chautauqua.
He made six 3-pointers.
The Dream trailed by 16 early in the fourth quarter before Novak led a rally at the DuBois Central Catholic High School gym.
DuBois is in its fourth season.
Novak, 29, became affiliated with the team through its participation in The Tournament, the high-stakes summer event that is televised by ESPN and awards $2 million to the winner.
Novak played in Portugal last season, his seventh in the pros overseas. He was set to return as he entertained a few new deals but decided to come home when he found out his wife was expecting.
With retirement whispering in his ear, Novak did a friend a favor — Albert Varacallo III, the player/owner and general manager of the Dream — by joining DuBois in the fledgling PBL.
“I really haven’t been focusing on training,” said Novak, a former Pitt-Johnstown standout. “(Playing semi-pro) sounded better than playing pick-up. But he might have created an itch because if you drop 55, you might still be able to play somewhere.”
Novak also had seven rebounds and five assists in his debut for DuBois.
He also spends some of his time coaching these days, as an assistant with the North Allegheny boys team. The Tigers’ staff that also includes former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith.
