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The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed free agent center Ronny Turiaf. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are very happy to be able to add an experienced veteran center at this stage of the season,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Ronny’s energy will be a great addition and bolster our front line.”
Turiaf, a seven-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 362 career games (90 starts) and averaged 5.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.36 blocks and 17.9 minutes while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. He appeared in four games with Washington this season totaling six points, 12 rebounds, six steals, five assists and three blocks in 58 minutes of action while shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from the field. He has appeared in 30 postseason career games (four starts) and averaged 3.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 11.2 minutes while shooting 44.8 percent from the field.
The February 2010 NBA Cares Community Award winner finished among league leaders in blocks in three straight seasons, tied for 28th (1.08) in 2006-07, tied for 22nd (1.38) in 2007-08 and tied for third (2.13) in 2008-09, while setting a career-high in blocked shots with six on December 17, 2008 at Indiana and then matching his career-high in blocks with six last season on January, 2 2011 vs. Indiana. He has averaged at least one block per game in five of his seven NBA seasons and has shot at least 50 percent from the field in six of those seven seasons.
Turiaf was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft.
