December 11, 2011 – Page 2 – NBA Blog

Wizards re-sign center Hamady Ndiaye

The Washington Wizards announced today that they have re-signed center Hamady Ndiaye.

“Hamady gained valuable experience when he received more playing time at the end of last season and worked hard this summer to continue to improve,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “His tremendous attitude and work ethic make him a valuable piece of the team’s chemistry.”

Ndiaye returns to the Wizards after appearing in 16 games for the team last season. The 7-0 native of Senegal was originally selected by Minnesota with the 56th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft before his rights were traded along with the rights to Trevor Booker in exchange for the rights to Lazar Hayward and Nemanja Bjelica on Draft Night and was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year at Rutgers in 2010.

The training camp roster now stands at 17 players.

76ers re-sign center Spencer Hawes

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that restricted free agent center Spencer Hawes has accepted the team’s qualifying offer. Hawes is completing his physical at Main Line Health and will begin practicing with the Sixers today. Philadelphia’s training camp roster now stands at 17.

“With the signing of Spencer, we now have our core returning – a group that is very familiar with each other, their roles and Coach Collins’ system and philosophies,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.

Hawes (7-1, 245) started all but one game for the Sixers last season, averaging 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.88 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game. Over the final 18 games, he averaged 27.1 mpg, up from 19.5 his first 63 games played. The Sixers were 14-6 when he scored in double-figures.

In four NBA seasons, Hawes has appeared in 301 games with 199 starts, averaging 8.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.95 blocks in 22.6 minutes per game. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by Sacramento and was acquired via trade by Philadelphia along with Andres Nocioni in exchange for Samuel Dalembert on June 17, 2010.

Zach Randolph refuses to fall out of shape

“Me and Shawn Kemp are friends, but he signed a contract, went into a lockout and came back overweight,” Zach Randolph said. “I didn’t want to be like that.”

Randolph is indeed the Grizzlies’ poster child for the lockout. He returned as the franchise player, looking like a supermodel, so to speak, thanks in part to University of Memphis assistant Frank Matrisciano.

People call Matrisciano “Hell’s Trainer.” Matrisciano refers to himself as a life-changer. Count Randolph and everyone around him as true believers.

“There will be some players that come back now who won’t be in shape,” Randolph said. “You’re going to notice. So I was definitely motivated to not let myself go.”

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal