France's Ronny Turiaf (L) and Spain's Marc Gasol battle for the ball during their friendly match ahead of the upcoming Eurobasket 2011 championships in the southern Spanish city of Almeria Aug 9, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - New York Knicks centre Ronny Turiaf will become the sixth NBA-based Frenchman to play in the French league when he joins Villeurbanne ASVEL during the NBA lock-out, the Pro A team said on Monday.

"I will be on the plane on Wednesday and I hope to take part in my first training session by the end of the week," Turiaf told the club's website (www.asvelbasket.com).

Turiaf will join San Antonio Spur and three-times NBA champion Tony Parker at ASVEL after Nicolas Batum (Portland Trail Blazers) joined Nancy, Pape Sy (Atlanta Hawks) signed with Gravelines, Ian Mahinmi (Dallas Mavericks) went to Le Havre and Boris Diaw (Charlotte Bobcats) joined second division Bordeaux.

The NBA cancelled the first two weeks of the regular season last week after owners and players were unable to resolve a bitter labour dispute.

NBA Commissioner David Stern warned that the entire season could be in jeopardy if significant progress toward a collective agreement was not make this week.