Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Former Detroit Lions receiver and Michigan standout is now playing professional basketball in Columbia

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Payton | Last updated 5/8/24

If you were a Michigan Wolverines fan from 2012 to 2014, then you remember Devin Funchess. He had some big seasons in Ann Arbor and his size and athleticism was enough to get him drafted in the second-round of 2015 NFL Draft.

After bouncing around the league and going on stints with the Panthers, Colts, Packers and 49ers, Funchess returned back home to play for the Detroit Lions in 2022. His stint in Detroit didn't last that long. He was only with the team through training camp and the preseason before he was cut right before the 2022 season began.

Turns out that was the last time that Funchess would play any kind of football. But his professional athletic career isn't over. He's now following a dream to one day play in the NBA. Funchess has signed with the Colombia Storm of the Baloncesto Profesional Colombiano league. There's some highlights of his work out there already.

Former #Panthers WR Devin Funchess has signed a deal with the Caribbean Storm Llaneros of the Professional Colombia Basketball league.

Funchess is the first former NFL player to go on and sign a professional basketball contract.

Here are his highlights:pic.twitter.com/hyZuHp2KHo
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 8, 2024

Funchess has the size to play the game. He's 6-foot-4 and can run up and down the court. The NBA might be a ways off for the 29-year-old, but we've seen crazier things happen in the sports world. Maybe he gets a chance at some point.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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