San Antonio Spurs Blog – Page 59 – NBA Blog

Spurs sign Malcolm Thomas, waive Ike Diogu

Any roster move made by the San Antonio Spurs is of interest. Because, they generally don’t make mistakes. So when they give a lesser-known player a shot, it’s always smart to take a heavier glance at that player than usual.

The Spurs today announced that they have signed forward Malcolm Thomas from the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League. Per club policy details of the contract were not released. In addition, the Spurs placed forward Ike Diogu on waivers.

Thomas, 6-9, 225 lbs., saw action in six games with the D-Fenders, averaging 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.67 blocks, 1.50 steals and 1.3 assists in 31.5 minutes while shooting .673 (35-52) from the field. Thomas posted a season-high 19 points to go along with 9 rebounds at Erie on Dec. 29.

Thomas, a teammate of Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard at San Diego State, helped lead the Aztecs to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance last season, averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.02 blocks in 30.4 minutes.

An All-Mountain West Conference Second Team selection in each of his two seasons at San Diego State as well as an All-Defensive Team selection as a senior, Thomas concluded his career with the Aztecs as the second leading shot blocker in school history (127).

Diogu was signed by the Spurs on Jan. 3. He appeared in two games, totaling 2 points and a rebound in 14 minutes.

Thomas will wear No. 23 for the Spurs and will be available tonight when the Silver and Black host the Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center at 7:30 p.m.

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili out 6 weeks after hand surgery

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that guard Manu Ginobili underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured fifth metacarpal in his left hand this morning in San Antonio. He is expected to miss approximately six weeks.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Mark Bagg. During the surgery screws and a plate were inserted into Ginobili’s hand. The injury occurred in the second quarter of Monday night’s Spurs-Timberwolves game in Minnesota.

Spurs sign forward Ike Diogu

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed forward Ike Diogu. Per club policy details of the contract were not released.

Diogu, 6-9, 250 pounds, spent last season playing for the L.A. Clippers, He appeared in 36 games, averaging 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.1 minutes while shooting .561 (83-148) from the field.

A five-year NBA veteran, Diogu was originally drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the ninth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He has also seen action with the Indiana Pacers (2006-08), Portland Trail Blazers (2008-09) and Sacramento Kings (2008-09). For his career Diogu has appeared in 223 games, averaging 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.5 minutes.

Diogu will wear No. 1 for the Spurs.

Spurs assign guard Cory Joseph to D-League

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned rookie Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.

Joseph, a 6-3 guard, has seen action in four games for the Spurs this season, totaling 2 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 22 minutes.

The Spurs selected Joseph out of the University of Texas with the 29th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. In his lone season with the Longhorns he was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

Joseph will make his Austin debut on Thursday, Jan. 5 when the Toros host the Maine Red Claws at the Cedar Park Center at 7 p.m.

Manu Ginobili suffers broken left hand

Spurs scoring leader Manu Ginobili on Monday suffered a broken bone in his left hand with 2:38 remaining in the Spurs’ game against the Timberwolves at Target Center here.

Ginobili, who is left-handed, appeared to suffer the injury reaching in an attempt to strip the ball from Timberwolves forward Anthony Tolliver as Tolliver went up for a shot near the 3-point line…

Spurs officials reported the injury was a fractured fifth metacarpal.

— Reported by Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News

Josh Howard fined for foul on James Anderson

Josh Howard of the Utah Jazz has been fined $25,000 for his Flagrant Foul Two, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Howard was initially called for a Flagrant Foul One against James Anderson of the San Antonio Spurs. The league office has upgraded the call to a Flagrant Foul Two.

The incident occurred with 03.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter of the Jazz’ 104-89 loss to the Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX on December 31.

Spurs assign Gary Neal to D-League for medical rehab

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned Gary Neal to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League for a medical rehab assignment. Neal underwent an appendectomy on December 12, 2011.

Neal enjoyed a successful rookie campaign during the 2010-11 season. He averaged 9.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 21.1 minutes in 80 games. He led all rookies in three-point field goal percentage, posting a .419 mark, and earned a spot on the 2011 All-Rookie First Team.

Neal will practice with the Toros on Monday and Tuesday of this week and then be re-evaluated by team doctors. At that point, a timeline for his return will be determined.

Spurs legend George Gervin awarded honorary doctorate degree

Spurs legend George Gervin was awarded with an honorary doctorate of education degree from his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University, at the university’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 18.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be the recipient of the honorary doctorate of education from my alma mater, Eastern Michigan University,” said Gervin, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in May of 1996.

Gervin, who played two seasons for Eastern Michigan (1971-72), was recognized by the university for his commitment to serving youth in San Antonio through various efforts, including the George Gervin Youth Center. The GGYC, which was created in 1991, provides vocational training, remedial education, mentoring, tutoring, job placement and supportive services for over 1,400 of San Antonio’s at-risk and disadvantaged youth and their families. The organization’s mission is to provide innovative, comprehensive, culturally sensitive service to positively impact the lives of troubled youth and their families.

“It was great to have George Gervin back on Eastern’s campus,” said Susan Martin, president of Eastern Michigan University. “His commencement address to students conveyed powerful and important themes about education being a lifelong process, the importance of family, and the value of giving back and volunteering to help your community. We respect the amazing skills he brought to the basketball court here at Eastern and in San Antonio, but even more importantly we admire the efforts of George and his wife, Joyce, to help children and families in San Antonio to better their lives and achieve their dreams.”

During his 14-year professional career, Gervin established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. In three ABA seasons and 11 NBA seasons he scored 26,595 career points, which is the 14th highest combined ABA/NBA total in history. Gervin spent 12 of his 14 professional seasons in San Antonio and had his No. 44 jersey retired by the Spurs in Dec. of 1987. Gervin, who has served as a community responsibility representative for Spurs Sports and Entertainment since 1994, posted career averages of 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 1,060 regular season games.

San Antonio Spurs waive Steve Novak and Antonio McDyess

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that forward Steve Novak has been placed on waivers. He originally signed with the Spurs on March 4, 2011. In 23 games in San Antonio, during the 2010-11 season, he averaged 4.0 points in 8.6 minutes. Novak re-signed with the Spurs on December 15, 2011.

At the same time the team announced that, due to the structure of his contract, Antonio McDyess has also been placed on waivers. McDyess signed with the Spurs on July 10, 2009. He spent the last two NBA seasons in San Antonio and, in April, McDyess announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

“Antonio McDyess is the ultimate pro,” said Spurs General Manager RC Buford. “It was truly a pleasure to have him in San Antonio the last two seasons. Antonio and his wife, Liara, are an important part of the Spurs family and will always be welcome.”

Antonio McDyess will not return to Spurs

The Spurs had until the end of business Monday to guarantee the other half of veteran big man Antonio McDyess’ $5.2 million contract, but they won’t drag the process to the end of the day.

The teams acknowledged that McDyess won’t be back, and the club will get to remove $2.6 million, the non=guaranteed portion of his contract, off its player payroll for the 2011-12 season.

McDyess, a former All-Star and an Olympic gold medal winner i n 2000, started all six playoff games last season.

— Reported by Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News Blog