New York Knicks Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has signed guard Beno Udrih. According to New York Newsday, the contract is a one-year deal worth the $1.272 million league minimum.
“Beno is a solid addition to our backcourt where he will give us more depth and flexibility,” Grunwald said. “He is a talented and experienced floor general who brings championship experience to our locker room.”
According to the New York Post, “the 6-foot-3 Slovenian point guard signed with the Knicks for less money, agreeing to his veterans minimum of $1.27 million as the Knicks put a solid capper to their summer maneuverings. They were desperate for a third point guard because they like to pair Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni together in the backcourt. After seasons with the Kings, Bucks and Magic, Udrih wanted to win again. His agent, Marc Cornstein, said Udrih had “many offers,’’ including at least one for more than the minimum.”
Udrih, 6-3, 205-pounds, holds career averages of 9.1 points, on 46.2-percent shooting, 3.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds over 23.5 minutes in 628 games (243 starts) over nine seasons with San Antonio, Sacramento, Milwaukee and Orlando. The two-time NBA champion (with the Spurs – 2005, 2007), recorded 8.2 points, 4.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and a 2.80 assists-per-turnover ratio (13th best in NBA) over 66 games (nine starts) with the Bucks and Magic last season.
The native of Slovenia was selected by San Antonio in the first round (28th overall) of 2004 NBA Draft. Prior to the NBA, he played internationally in Slovenia (1998-2002), Israel (2002-03), Italy (2003-04) and Russia (2003-04).