Sixers advise Andres Nocioni to skip Worlds

michael redd

The Philadelphia 76ers announced that due to forward Andres Nocioni’s injured left ankle, the team has advised him to withdraw from the upcoming FIBA World Championships, effective immediately.

The MRI of Nocioni’s left ankle was reviewed by Dr. Jack McPhilemy of Main Line Health Services, who recommended that Nocioni stop all basketball and impact activity until the team opens Training Camp at the end of September, at which time he will be re-evaluated.

Upon Nocioni’s return to Philadelphia, another MRI will be taken of his left ankle.


March 21, 2010 Los Angeles, CA..Kings' Andres Nocioni in action during the NBA game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Kings defeated the Clippers, 102-89..Josh Thompson/Cal Sport Media.

Full 2010 preseason schedule

The NBA today released its 2010 preseason schedule, which is highlighted by a comprehensive international slate of games that includes seven contests in China, Europe and Mexico. The preseason slate tips off on Oct. 3, when the New York Knicks visit Armani Jeans Milano – the former team of Knicks forward Danillo Gallinari and head coach Mike D’Antoni – in Milan, Italy, and the New Jersey Nets host Maccabi Haifa.

As is the case these days, the action starts overseas, with a few NBA squads heading to Europe.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about teams playing preseason ball overseas. Because generally it’s just a warmup. I think if NBA fans overseas are going to get a rare taste of live NBA action, it should be the best basketball possible, and we usually don’t see that before the regular season begins.

See the complete 2010-11 NBA preseason schedule.

Nets sign Sean May

Nets sign Sean May

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent forward Sean May, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released. Multiple reports have said the contract is not guaranteed.

May, 6’9”/266, is a four-year NBA veteran with career averages of 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.7 minutes over 119 career games with Charlotte and Sacramento.

As the Most Outstanding Player in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, May helped North Carolina capture the 2005 National Championship.

He was selected by the Bobcats in the first round (13th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. In three seasons with Charlotte, May appeared in 82 games with his best season coming during the 2006-07 campaign, where he averaged 11.9 points and 6.7 rebounds in 23.9 minutes.

He signed with Sacramento as a free agent on August 3, 2009 and played in a career-high 37 games during the 2009-10 season, averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes.


March 10, 2010: Sean May of the Sacramento Kings during the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Toronto Raptors at Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA. Ben Munn/CSM.

Andres Nocioni sprains ankle while training for Argentina

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports:

Andres Nocioni sprains ankle while training for Argentina

The 76ers’ Andres Nocioni sprained his left ankle Friday while training with Argentina’s national team and is out indefinitely pending results of X-rays and an MRI exam.

A report in Argentina suggested Nocioni could be out for roughly 20 days.

Ed Stefanski, the Sixers’ president/general manager, said he was awaiting the test results, which will be forwarded to the Sixers’ medical staff.

Jan 15, 2009 - Chicago, Illinois, USA - ANDRES NOCIONI Photo via Newscom

Kings hire Otis Hughley as assistant coach

The Sacramento Kings’ Head Coach Paul Westphal today announced an addition to his coaching staff, reaching an agreement with Otis Hughley to join the team as an assistant coach.

“Otis has a wealth of experience working with young players and is ready to jump to the NBA,” said Westphal. “We’re very excited to add him to our staff to replace Bryan Gates.”

“It’s an exciting time,” Hughley said. “I’m looking forward to being with an organization that’s proven and that’s exhibited class. I’m really looking forward to working with Coach Westphal and his staff.”

Hughley had coached at LeFlore High School in Mobile, Ala. for seven years (2004-2010), guiding the Rattlers to six straight regional appearances and a 6A state title in 2007. While at LeFlore, he coached current Kings center Demarcus Cousins. Before coaching at LeFlore, Hughley was an assistant coach at several universities, including Wright State, Liberty, and Southern. Hughley’s experience also includes coaching for the league’s NBA China program and working over 10 years at Pete Newell’s “Big Man Camp.”

Tyreke Evans sentenced to informal probation for reckless driving

Cathy Locke of the Sacramento Bee reports:

Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans pleaded no contest Friday to reckless driving.

Tyreke Evans sentenced to informal probation for reckless driving

Evans, 20, was ordered to serve three years’ informal probation and 80 hours of alternative sentencing, Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully said in a written announcement. His driver’s license also was suspended for 30 days, and he was ordered to participate in two California Highway Patrol Start Smart Driving programs, educational programs targeting teenage drivers.

Evans was driving his black Mercedes S550 shortly before 7 p.m. May 31, when a Highway Patrol flight officer in a CHP Cessna airplane spotted the vehicle traveling more than 100 mph while crossing lanes on westbound Interstate 80. The vehicle at times reached speeds of up to 130 mph and continued at high speeds for several miles while passing vehicles in Memorial Day weekend traffic, Scully said.

Kings sign Antoine Wright and Pooh Jeter

The Sacramento Kings today signed free agents Antoine Wright and Pooh Jeter to contracts, according to Kings’ Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Wayne Cooper. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

“Antoine Wright and Pooh Jeter are two solid players at their respective positions who will add to our roster’s depth,” said Cooper. “Wright has five years of NBA experience under his belt and Jeter is coming off of a great summer league showing as he played for Cleveland’s team in Las Vegas.”

Kings sign Antoine Wright and Pooh Jeter

Wright, a 6-7, 215-pound forward-guard, who is currently entering his sixth NBA season, has recorded career averages of 5.6 points (.413 FGs, .306 3FGs, .674 FTs), 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game through 290 outings with New Jersey (2005-07), Dallas (2007-09) and Toronto (2009-10). He averaged 6.5 points (.406 FGs, .335 3FGs, .688 FTs), 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game over 67 contests last year with the Raptors. Wright has played in 28 career playoff games, averaging 3.9 points and 1.3 rebounds for the Nets (2005-07) and Mavericks (2007-09). He posted career averages of 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game through 87 outings over his three-year career at Texas A&M before being drafted in the first round (15th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets following his junior year.

Jeter, a 5-11, 175-pound guard, has played overseas for the last four seasons for BC Kiev (2007-08, Ukraine), ViveMenorca (2008-09, Spain), Unicaja Malaga (2009, Spain) and Hapoel Jerusalem (2009-10, Israel). His professional career began with the Colorado 14ers of the NBA D-League (2006-07) where he averaged 14.4 points (.486 FGs, .263 3FGs, .885 FTs), 7.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game through 50 contests. Jeter played for the Kings in the 2007 Summer League in Las Vegas, and most recently played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010 Summer League where he averaged 14.8 points (.482 FGs, .250 3FGs, .800 FTs), a team-leading 5.4 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game over five outings. He enjoyed a four-year career at the University of Portland, averaging 14.9 points (.550 FGs, .420 FTs), 3.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game through 115 career contests.

Kings trade Jon Brockman to Bucks

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Darnell Jackson and a future second-round draft pick from Milwaukee in a sign and trade that sent Jon Brockman to the Bucks, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“I want to thank Jon for his effort and enthusiasm,” said Petrie. “He became a popular player in the short time he was here, and I’m sure he’ll be popular in Milwaukee. We’re looking forward to greeting Darnell and moving forward with the rest of the roster over the course of the summer.”

Jackson, a 6-9, 263-pound forward, who is currently entering his third NBA season, has recorded career averages of 1.5 points (.397 FGs, .167 3FGs, .683 FTs) and 1.4 rebounds per game through 79 contests with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2008-09 and 2009-10) and Milwaukee Bucks (2009-10). He enjoyed a four-year career at Kansas, averaging 6.8 points (.580 FGs) and 4.9 rebounds per game over 125 outings before being selected by the Miami Heat in the second-round (52nd overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Brockman, a 6-7, 255-pound forward, averaged 2.8 points (.534 FGs, .597 FTs) and 4.1 rebounds per game through 52 contests, of which he started four in his rookie campaign last year with the Kings. He scored in double figures once, grabbed 10 or more rebounds on three occasions and recorded one double-double.

Among NBA rookies, Brockman ranked ninth in rebounds per game. His draft rights (38th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft) were acquired by Sacramento along with Sergio Rodriguez and cash considerations from Portland in exchange for Jeff Pendergraph (31st overall in the 2009 NBA Draft).

Brockman had a successful, storied four-year career at Washington, averaging 13.8 points (.534 FGs, .612 FTs), 9.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game over 131 outings, of which he started 129. He was the first player in Husky history to amass at least 1,800 career points (1,805) and 1,200 rebounds (1,283), and only player to pace UW in rebounding over four seasons. Brockman joined UCLA legends Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton as the only players to lead the Pac-10 in rebounding for three consecutive years.

Kings sign second-round rookie Hassan Whiteside

The Sacramento Kings today signed rookie center-forward Hassan Whiteside to a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Whiteside was Sacramento’s second round selection (33rd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft out of Marshall University as an undergraduate.

Whiteside, an early entry candidate, was the 2010 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year after averaging 13.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and a Division I leading 5.35 blocks per game in 34 contests for Marshall. The 7-0, 235-pound center set school records for most blocks in a season and career with 182, the fourth highest season total in Division I history and the second most by a freshman. He led the nation in triple-doubles with three.

Whiteside also garnered the following honors: AP Honorable Mention All-American, Sporting News Second Team freshman All-American, Second Team All Conference USA, Conference USA All-Freshman Team and All-Defensive Team, Second Team NABC All-District 11.

Whiteside becomes just the second player from Marshall drafted by the Kings. Current New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni was selected by the Kings in the second round of the 1973 NBA Draft.

76ers trade Samuel Dalembert to Kings for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni

76ers trade Samuel Dalembert to Kings for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Samuel Dalembert in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “Dalembert, who attended Seton Hall and was the 26th overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the 76ers, comes to the Kings in the final year of his contract. He is scheduled to make $12,200,000.”

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, “Nocioni has two years remaining on his contract, with an option for a third. The two years are valued at about $13 million. Hawes, a first-round draft pick in 2007, is still under his rookie deal.”

“We’re excited about the acquisition of Samuel Dalembert,” explained Petrie. “He will certainly bring a defensive presence and increase our ability to defend around the basket with his rebounding, shot-blocking and athleticism. I think he’ll add a very different look to our team defensively and we’re really excited about having him. I also want to thank Spencer and Andres for their contributions here and wish them well with Philadelphia. It’s been an enjoyable time with both of them.”

Dalembert, a 6-11, 250-pound center, who just finished his eighth NBA season (all with Philadelphia), has amassed career averages of 8.1 points (.527 FGs, .692 FTs), 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game through 582 contests. His most productive season occurred during the 2006-07 campaign when he averaged 10.7 points (.541 FGs and .746 FTs), 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game over 82 outings, of which he started all 82 games. Dalembert has averaged 8.6 points (.521 FGs, .658 FTs), 9.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game through 17 career playoff contests. He ranked fifth in the NBA in blocks (1.84 bpg) in 2009-10 and has swatted away 140 or more shots in six of the last seven seasons. He ranks second in career blocks (1,131) in 76ers history, trailing only Julius Erving (1,293). Dalembert has played in all 82 games in each of the last four seasons and has a consecutive games played streak of 354. He led Philadelphia in rebounding with a 9.6 average in 2009-10, ranking him 12th in the NBA. He was the 2009-10 recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizen Award presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association. Dalembert was a first round pick (26th overall) by the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Seton Hall after his sophomore season. He finished with career averages of 7.1 points (.537 FGs, .539 FTs) and 5.8 rebounds per game through 59 outings over his two-year career at Seton Hall.

At 7-1 and 245 pounds, Hawes, a center, recently finished his third NBA season (all with the Kings). He has totaled career averages of 8.8 points (.466 FGs, .314 3FGs, .670 FTs), 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks per game over 220 outings, of which he has started in 118). Hawes’ most productive season occurred during the 2008-09 campaign when he averaged 11.4 points  (.466 FGs, .348 3FGs, .662 FTs), 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks per game through 77 contests. He was selected by Sacramento in the first round (10th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft after his freshman season at the University of Washington.

Nocioni, a 6-7, 225-pound forward, recently finished his sixth NBA season (four and a half with Chicago and one and a half with Sacramento). He has amassed career averages of 11.3 points (.433 FGs, .375 3FGs, .802 FTs), 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game over 449 contests, of which he has started in 185).  He has averaged double figures in scoring in four of his six NBA seasons. Nocioni has appeared in 22 career playoff games with Chicago, averaging 13.6 points (.443 FGs, .377 3FGs, .789 FTs), 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He was signed by the Bulls as a free agent prior to the 2004-05 season. Nocioni was acquired by the Kings in a three-team trade involving Chicago and Portland on February 18, 2009. Nocioni played for Tau Ceramica in Spain from 2002 to 2004 prior to his NBA career.