The Milwaukee Bucks have signed center Francisco Elson to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Elson (7-0, 240) comes to the Bucks after splitting the 2007-08 season with San Antonio and Seattle.
“Francisco is a player of high character who will bring length and athleticism to the front line,” said Hammond. “In addition, he has extensive playoff experience and has been part of an NBA Championship team. He knows what it takes to be a part of a winning team and we welcome a player with his level of experience.”
Elson, 32, began last season with San Antonio and appeared in 41 games with averages of 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds before a February trade sent him to Seattle. He played 22 games for the Sonics and posted averages of 3.0 points and 3.0 rebounds.
Elson was originally drafted by Denver in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft (41st overall). He went overseas to play four years in Spain before joining the Nuggets, spending time with FC Barcelona (1999-2001), Pamesa Valencia (2001-02), and Caja San Fernando (2002-03). He joined the Nuggets prior to the 2003-04 season and went on to play three seasons in Denver before signing with the Spurs prior to the 2006-07 season. He posted career-high averages in points (5.0) and rebounds (4.8) while appearing in 70 games in his only full season with San Antonio. He appeared in all 20 of San Antonio’s playoff games (8 starts) during their run to the 2007 NBA Championship. He logged 230 minutes of playing time and posted averages of 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds while also becoming the first Dutch player to win an NBA title.
In five NBA seasons, Elson owns career averages of 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 334 games. He has 30 games of playoff experience with Denver and San Antonio, and owns playoff career averages of 2.9 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Prior to entering the 1999 NBA Draft, Elson enjoyed a two-year stint at the University of California, which included an NIT Championship during his senior year in 1999. In two seasons with the Bears he averaged 5.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 59 games. He played his first two seasons of college basketball at Kilgore Junior College.
Elson is a native of the Netherlands and is fluent in Dutch, Spanish, German, South American Suriname and English.
