TORONTO -- Alek Radojevic, the 12th pick in the NBA draft, signed a three-year deal with the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

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"I've gone through a lot, so this is one of the happiest days of my life," Radojevic said after a news conference.

The 23-year-old Radojevic fled war-torn Yugoslavia for the United States two years ago. After playing at Barton County Community College in Kansas, where he averaged 13 points and 7.6 rebounds, the 7-foot-3 Radojevic signed a letter of intent to play for Ohio State.

However, because he played a total of 19 minutes for a professional basketball team in Yugoslavia, the NCAA ruled he was ineligible to play. He then entered the NBA draft.

"I didn't know if I would be drafted, or who would draft me, and then the club in Yugoslavia didn't want to release me," Radojevic said in describing his uncertain offseason.

Last month an arbitrator ruled he was free to join the NBA.

But the dispute slowed his progress. The raw center wasn't able to work out for the Raptors, or play for their summer league team.

"He's a real mystery," Toronto general manager Glen Grunwald said. "He has a lot of talent, but he hasn't played against top-notch competition."

Radojevic, whose deal averages out to about $1 million a season, knows the transition to the NBA is going to be tough, but he said he's in the best shape of his life. He's been working with a personal trainer for the last two months and has added 15 pounds, up to 260.