Brighton Bears have suffered a major setback in the run-up to their British League title defence.
American forward Kendrick Warren, top scorer last season with 20 points per game, has agreed to join Nantes in France.
Warren had been expected to return for a second season in Sussex.
The fact he has secured a better deal in the French second division than the BBL illustrates the divide Bears bridged to compete so well in Europe last season but that will come as little consolation to their owner and coach Nick Nurse.
Bears have already lost three members of the BBL title-winning team, with Rico Alderson and Sullivan Phillips heading to London Towers and Randy Duck retiring.
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