Category: Orlando Magic Blog

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent guard-forward Jason Richardson, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today. We’ll post contract details later today on this page.

Richardson (6’6”, 225, 1/20/81) played and started in 80 games last season with both Phoenix and Orlando, averaging 15.6 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.16 stlpg. in 33.9 minpg., while shooting .395 (189-479) from three-point range.  He was acquired by the Magic on December 18, 2010 from Phoenix, along with Earl Clark and Hedo Turkoglu, in a six-player trade.  With the Magic, Richardson appeared and started in 55 games, averaging 13.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.20 stlpg. in 34.9 minpg.  He also played in five playoff outings, averaging 10.0 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 30.6 minpg.

Richardson ranked second in the NBA in both three-point field goals made and attempted, 13th in steals-to-turnover ratio (0.98, 93/95), tied for 32nd in steals and tied for 37th in three-point field goal percentage.

“Jason (Richardson) is a tremendous competitor who is great in the open floor and can drain the three-point shot,” said Smith.  “We are very happy to have him back in a Magic uniform.”

Originally selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by Golden State, Richardson has appeared in 751 career NBA regular season games with Golden State, Charlotte, Phoenix and Orlando, averaging 18.0 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.18 stlpg. in 35.0 minpg.  He has shot .373 (1,418-3,804) from three-point range during his career.  Richardson has also played in 32 career playoff outings, averaging 18.0 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.06 stlpg. in 34.8 minpg., while shooting .409 (85-208) from three-point range.  He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2001-02, claimed the NBA Slam Dunk championship in 2002 and 2003, while also being named MVP of the Rookie Challenge in 2002.

 The Orlando Magic have signed rookie forward Justin Harper and rookie guard DeAndre Liggins, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.  Both players will participate in training camp, which begins later this evening.

Harper (6’10”, 225, 8/30/89) was selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Cleveland.  He was acquired on Draft night (June 23) by Orlando in exchange for two future second round draft picks.  Harper appeared in 137 career games at the University of Richmond, averaging 10.6 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. in 22.9 minpg. during his collegiate career.  He also shot .382 (179-468) from three-point range.  As a senior (2010-11), Harper played in 37 games, averaging 17.9 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 1.2 apg. and 1.2 blkpg. in 31.8 minpg.  He was named First Team All-Atlantic 10, leading the Spiders in both scoring and rebounding.  Harper scored 20-plus points 14 times, including a career-high 30 points against George Washington.

Harper left Richmond ranked fifth all-time in school history with 179 three-pointers made.  He also ranks seventh all-time with 113 blocked shots and 11th all-time with 1,457 points.

Liggins (6’6”, 209, 3/31/88) was selected in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Orlando.  He appeared in 100 career games at the University of Kentucky, averaging 5.8 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 2.1 rpg. in 21.9 minpg. during his collegiate career.  As a junior (2010-11), Liggins played in 38 games, averaging 8.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.5 apg. and 1.2 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg.  He also shot .391 (36-92) from three-point range.

Liggins was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in 2010-11, and was also named to the NCAA East Region All-Tournament Team, helping the Wildcats reach the 2011 NCAA Final Four.  Kentucky also reached the Elite Eight during Liggins’ sophomore season (2009-10).

The Orlando Magic have named Mark Price player development coach, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith officially announced today.

Price was a shooting coach with Golden State during the 2010-11 campaign. Price was also a shooting consultant with Atlanta for two seasons (2008-10) and with Memphis (2007-08).

Price appeared in 772 regular season games with Cleveland, Washington, Golden State and Orlando during his 12-year career in the NBA, averaging 15.2 ppg. and 6.7 apg., while shooting .472 from the field, .402 from three-point range and .904 from the free throw line. A four-time NBA All-Star, he was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1992-93 and earned All-NBA Third Team honors three times.

The NBA’s all-time leader in free throw percentage in the regular season (.904) and in the postseason (.944), Price led the league in free throw percentage three times during his career, finished in the top-10 in free throw shooting seven times and shot better than 90% from the foul line in seven of his 12 seasons. In 1993, he made 77 consecutive free throw attempts, which was one shy of the NBA record at the time. The Cavaliers’ all-time leader in assists (4,206), he also ranks 19th in NBA history for career three-point percentage (.402) and was a two-time winner of the NBA’s three-point shootout (1993, 1994).

Prior to joining the NBA, Price starred at Georgia Tech where he was a three-time All-American and was named First Team All-ACC three times. He was the Associated Press ACC Player of the Year in 1984-85. In addition to having his number retired in both Cleveland and at Georgia Tech, the basketball arena in his hometown of Enid, Oklahoma is named after him.

Since retiring as a player, Price has also worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater (under Bobby Cremins), served as a community coach for Duluth High School and was head coach at Whitefield Academy in Smyrn, GA. In 2006, Price opened the Mark Price Basketball Academy and Shooting Lab at the Suwanee (GA) Sports Academy.

The Orlando Magic have waived guard Gilbert Arenas and designated him as the team’s amnesty player, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

Arenas (6’4”, 215, 1/6/82) played in 70 games with both Washington and Orlando last season, averaging 10.8 ppg., 3.9 apg., 2.7 rpg. and 1.06 stlpg. in 25.7 minpg. He was acquired by the Magic on December 28, 2010 from Washington in exchange for Rashard Lewis. In 49 games with Orlando, Arenas averaged 8.0 ppg., 3.2 apg. and 2.4 rpg. in 21.8 minpg.

Arenas has appeared in 535 career NBA regular season games with Golden State, Washington and Orlando, averaging 21.2 ppg., 5.4 apg., 4.0 rpg. and 1.63 stlpg. in 35.8 minpg.

Read NBA fan opinion or share your views in this basketball forum topic.

Bob Vander Weide, whose leadership watch included seven 50-win seasons, five division championships, two Eastern Conference titles and 13 playoff berths, announced his retirement as Chief Executive Officer/Vice Chair of the Orlando Magic today.

Vander Weide will continue to serve the Magic in a consulting role. Vander Weide has served on the NBA’s Labor Relations Committee, as well as the Planning Committee, which is developing the league’s new revenue sharing plans.

Rich DeVos will serve as the Senior Chairman of the Orlando Magic, while Dan DeVos will take on the responsibilities of Chairman.

Alex Martins has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer and will continue is his role of running the local operations and day-to-day business of the organization, while Otis Smith will continue as President of Basketball Operations/General Manager, reporting to Martins.

Dan DeVos will serve as the Magic’s lead representative on the NBA’s Board of Governors, while Dick DeVos and Martins will serve as Orlando’s Alternate Governor to the NBA’s board and member of the NBA’s Team President Advisory Council.

“It’s been an incredibly exciting and fulfilling 20 years,” said Vander Weide, who also oversaw the creation of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, which has distributed more than $16 million to the local community. “Now, it’s time to focus my energy and efforts in Grand Rapids (Mich.), as well as some charitable and business endeavors. I am certainly looking forward to this next chapter and have great confidence in Dan, Alex and Otis and the leadership of this organization going forward.”

“We truly thank Bob for his dedication, leadership and strategic vision, “  said Dan DeVos. “He has created a culture of winning, and admirably led the family’s commitment to community, while also working diligently to ensure that our customers and stakeholders have a first-class experience. Like Bob, we look forward to our continued journey and achieving our ultimate objective of winning an NBA Championship, while putting a product on the floor that all of Central Florida can be proud of. The DeVos’ commitment to team ownership and the Central Florida community is truly multi-generational.”

Vander Weide, 53, and a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., began his career with the Magic in 1992 as Vice President of Basketball Operations and was named President in 1994, before shifting to his current role of CEO/Vice Chair. He currently resides in Grand Rapids with his wife, Cheri, and their 5 children.

Vander Weide, along with Alex Martins, played a key role in securing and developing the state-of-the-art Amway Center. Vander Weide developed a Magic culture which emphasizes winning, commitment to community and a first-class customer experience.

During its most recent years, the Magic have recorded four straight 50-win seasons, the longest stretch in franchise history, while having more wins and more playoff wins than any team in the NBA with the exception of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers over the last four seasons.

In addition, Magic community relations programming under their direction impacts an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while the front office staff commits more than 6,000 volunteer hours in the community.

From a business perspective, the Magic have recorded 120 straight sellouts, while doubling its season ticket base to a franchise record 14,000 over the last five years. In addition, under their direction they have maintained multiple affordable ticket options, including 2,500 seats priced $20 or less. In its eighth annual Ultimate Sport Rankings, ESPN ranked the Magic first among all NBA teams and second among all NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL franchises in “best sports experiences.” The standings were tabulated on a variety of categories, including: fan relations, affordability, ownership commitment, on-the-court performance and stadium experience. In its ninth annual rankings last year, the Amway Center was ranked No. 1 in the NBA.

Vander Weide was also instrumental in bringing professional hockey and professional women’s basketball to Orlando. From 1995-2001, the Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League captured one divisional title, three Eastern Conference crowns and the IHL’s Turner Cup Championship in 2000-01. In April of 1998, Orlando was granted a WNBA franchise. The Miracle finished its inaugural season in 1999.

Besides handling his Orlando Magic duties, Vander Weide also maintains several business responsibilities in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich. Vander Weide has also stayed involved in a variety of Orlando civic and community organizations. He was named the 1997 “Orlandoan of the Year” by Orlando Magazine and chaired the 2000 Heart of Florida’s United Way Campaign.

As Chairman, Dan DeVos responsibilities include long-term strategic planning for the organization and new business initiatives.

DeVos is chairman, president and CEO of DP Fox Ventures, LLC, a diversified business development and management company with interests in real estate, transportation and sports and entertainment in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  DP Fox employs more than 500 professionals through companies including Fox Insurance Agency, Fox Powersports and Fox Motor Group, a retail automotive group representing 40 manufacturers at 20 locations.

DeVos also serves as co-owner, president and CEO, governor of the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, the top affiliate for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. He led the way for the return of professional hockey to West Michigan in 1996. Since then, the Griffins organization has strived to meet a standard of excellence in everything it does, while providing a fan experience focused on family fun and entertainment. That excellence begins on the ice, where the team has won five division titles in either the AHL or the International Hockey League over the last 12 seasons.

DeVos is a member of the AHL’s executive committee and a member of the West Michigan Sports Commission’s board of directors. He was named the IHL’s Executive of Year in 1997 and served as the league’s chairman of the board during its final two seasons.

A member of the board of directors of Alticor Inc., the parent company of Amway Corporation, DeVos also serves as president/CEO of Powell Pointe Resort, the developer of Cape Eleuthera, and of Cape Eleuthera Properties, the manager of the Princess Cays facility, on the island of Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Additionally, serves as a partner for the Georgian Automotive Group, based in Barrie, Ontario, as well as a partner for CWD Real Estate Investments.

In honor of the impact that he, his brothers and their father, Rich, have made on the sports landscape both locally and nationally, the DeVos family was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in the team category in 2011.

DeVos is involved in a variety of local business and civic organizations, including serving as the board of trustees president for Hope Network, co-chair of the Children’s Miracle Network, and as a member of the Grand Valley University Foundation. He also serves as vice chair on the board of trustees for Northwood University,