Former NBAer Robert Swift returns to playing basketball in Spain

In normal circumstances, a former NBA player making a comeback attempt in Europe wouldn't be newsworthy, but the case of Robert Swift is slightly different.

Swift began play with Spanish fifth-division squad Circulo Gijon last weekend in his first high-level basketball since being released by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. In the interim, Swift has lived a harrowing tale that has included heroin addiction and an arrest for weapons charges.

"It was honestly one of the best days I've had in a long time. I personally felt a little rusty, a little slow for not playing for five, six years, but I know that comes back with more time on the court," Swift told Hoopshype's Alex Kennedy.

A 7-foot center, Swift - now 32 - was picked 12th in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Seattle Sonics straight out of high school.