It appears that the Orlando Magic's first-round draft pick will be spending at least the next two seasons overseas.

Forward Fran Vazquez, who the Magic selected 11th overall in the June Draft, had showed no signs of wavering on his decision to come to the NBA but it sounds like he will play with Real Madrid next season.

"I've said `no,' because I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life, and of not giving the level they have asked,'' Vazquez told the Spanish newspaper Malaga hoy today. "I'm not a coward, but I prefer to stay in Spain, progress, and who knows? Maybe jump to the NBA in a few years.''

The Magic were surprised but are not giving up hope on Vacquez playing for them this coming season.

"Yes, we're a little surprised,'' said Dave Twardzik, Magic co-general manager who had seen Vazquez play six different times in Europe. "The message we've been getting all along -- before the draft, after the draft -- was that he was excited about playing here. He said it was his dream to play in the NBA. I don't know (what changed his mind).''

"When you draft an international player, something like this is always possible. We talked about it before the draft,'' Twardzik said. "It's something he has to figure out now, if it's what he wants to do.''

The Magic hope to talk with Vacquez and if he has not already signed a contract, it is possible they can still sway him to sign with them.