Bucks sign Brian Skinner

Jan 04, 2009 - Los Angeles, California, USA - NBA Basketball: Clippers' BRIAN SKINNER Photo via Newscom

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed veteran center Brian Skinner (6-9, 255) to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Skinner has played in 605 games and holds career averages of 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.4 percent from the field. He played in all eight 2010 preseason games for Milwaukee and averaged 1.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game before being waived on October 25.  Skinner spent the 2009-10 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played in 16 games.

Skinner, 34, was selected by the Clippers with the 22nd overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, and spent the first three years of his career in Los Angeles.  He has also played for Cleveland, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Portland, Phoenix and two seasons with Milwaukee (2003-04 and 2006-07). He enjoyed his best statistical season in 2003-04 when he averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 56 games with the Bucks.

Bucks waive Darington Hobson

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Guard Darington Hobson #1 of the New Mexico Lobos drives with the ball against the Washington Huskies in the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HP Pavilion on March 20, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on rookie guard Darington Hobson (6-7, 210), General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Hobson, 23, was selected in the second round (37th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft after being named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year as a junior at New Mexico.  He was unable to participate in the Bucks Summer League entry or training camp due to a hip injury, which led to season-ending surgery on October 12.

The Bucks roster now stands at 14 players.

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Nets launch Russian language website

NETS Basketball is giving Russian speaking fans the opportunity to further connect with the team by making its website viewable in Russian.

By logging on to www.netsrussia.com, viewers will have access to NETS related content translated into Russian, such as articles on the team, interviews with players, coaches and management, photographs, and ticket information. Soon there will be news about ‘An Evening of Russian Culture,’ which will be held during a NETS home game this season.

Since Mikhail Prokhorov’s majority purchase of the team in May, 2010, the NETS are receiving significant interest in Russia. During the team’s visit to Moscow in October, the players conducted a clinic before 3,000 youngsters at the CSKA arena, and several players appeared at an Adidas store to celebrate the opening of the first NETS merchandise shop in Russia.

“We’re excited that Russian-speaking fans will now have the chance to get closer to NETS Basketball in a comprehensive way,” NETS CEO Brett Yormark said. “While we strive to become Russia’s NBA home team, we are also gaining a large Russian fan-base in the metropolitan area, which can now fully experience the NETS.”

“I’m glad we’re reaching out to our global fan base in a personalized way,” said Mr. Prokhorov, the NETS’ principal owner.  “We want Russian speakers from New Jersey to New York to Moscow to see the NETS as their home team, and a Russian language website is an excellent way to further that goal.”

The Russian language website has been developed and is being maintained by Global Advertising Strategies, an interactive agency based in New York City.

“This launch signifies a continued evolution for the NETS online and further demonstrates the team’s commitment to communicate with Russian fans,” said Ryan Gordon, the Media Director of Global Advertising Strategies.

Reggie Evans out 8 weeks after foot surgery

Reggie Evans out around 8 weeks after foot surgery

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday forward Reggie Evans underwent surgery today to repair a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, North Carolina. Evans is expected to be sidelined approximately eight weeks.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of Friday night’s game at Boston.

Evans has averaged 4.0 points, 12.1 rebounds and 27.3 minutes in 16 games this season. His rebound average ranks third in the NBA. He grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds Wednesday versus Philadelphia.