Mensah-Bonsu released by the Toronto Raptors

GREAT Britain forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu has been released for the second time this season after he was deemed surplus to requirements by the Toronto Raptors.

OUT ON HIS EAR: Pops Mensah-Bonsu is released for the second time this season but may well be re-signed by the Toronto Raptors imminently

Mensah-Bonsu was waived by the Houston Rockets in November having failed to make an impact for the Texas side, averaging just 1.3 points per game in the opening weeks of the season and featuring for just 12 minutes.

The Londoner then moved on to the Toronto Raptors where he made a name for himself last season, having averaged more than five points with the Raptors in his 19 games.

And while it appears the Raptors have cut Mensah-Bonsu loose once more, it is expected they will try to re-sign the 26-year-old on a short-term contract if he cannot negotiate a better deal elsewhere.

Under the terms of Mensah-Bonsu's deal, the Raptors would have been obliged to guarantee Mensah-Bonsu's contract for the rest of the season had he remained on the roster beyond a deadline later tonight.

By releasing him, they are free to sign him to no more than two ten-day contracts before deciding whether to sign him for the remainder of the campaign.