'It was really now or never for me,' says Holland Landing's Kevin Pangos on

The NBA dream could have been over long ago for Kevin Pangos.

After six seasons playing overseas, the Holland Landing native easily could have continued on with a lucrative career in domestic leagues and the EuroLeague without missing a beat.

But that’s never been Pangos' game plan.

Instead, the 28-year-old point guard, with a keen three-point shooting touch and playmaking skills, signed a two-year contract in early September with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth a reported $3.5-million.

Stops in Spain, Lithuania and Russia have served as critical steps toward the Holland Landing native finally getting his big-league shot.

“The path is not what I would have expected to happen so I am happy to be here and so fortunate to have the opportunity,” said the undrafted Pangos following his first official Cavs’ function — media day — on Sept. 27. “The NBA is always something I wanted to do. Everyone pictures having their name called on draft night. That didn’t happen so it became, ‘How do I make this happen?’ ”

It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Pangos, who was a EuroLeague First Team selection last season playing for Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia.

The graduate of Dr. J.M. Denison Secondary School in Newmarket has found a home for his family in a Cleveland suburb, passed his physical, obtained his FIBA release and taken care of everyday business to prepare for the season.

The signing, which includes a guaranteed first year, puts Pangos into the Cavaliers’ mix at point guard at training camp which opened this week.

“Each year overseas, I was like, ‘OK, this will be the year' and it never was,” said Pangos, who played four NCAA seasons at Gonzaga University. “Never did I think it would take six years but there’s also the thought it may never happen.

“I was frustrated, for sure. It was one of those things where I’d look at the NBA boxscores every day and try to figure out how to get there.

“It’s hard to get to the NBA. They are the top 450 spots in the world and so many guys in Europe, college, the G-League, around the world, all trying to get to that point.”

Pangos gambled on his future. He resisted tempting offers from European clubs during the summer’s free agent signing period in Europe to be available for potential NBA interest coming his way.

“I had to turn down offers from teams without any idea where or who was interested in me within the NBA,” said Pangos, who began playing as a youth in the York North Basketball Association. “It was really now or never for me. I worked hard. All I could control was what I could do to get there.”

Coming off an injury the previous season, Pangos thrived last season in St. Petersburg.

“I didn’t know anything about Russia going into the season,” said Pangos. “I just thought it was the best thing for my career. It was amazing.

“I wanted a fresh start and to play a full season healthy. I was shocked at it as a great experience.”

A member of the Canada Basketball junior and senior national men’s programs, Pangos had some familiarity with international basketball. He flourished in the EuroLeague which brings together the top 18 club teams in Europe.

“It’s the second best league in the world,” said Pangos. “It’s a great calibre of basketball against guys with NBA experience and European professional experience. Each country I’ve been in has helped me develop. It was definitely great for me to go over there and get that experience and learn from all those players.”