Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Sixers to introduce Noel

PHILADELPHIA - The 76ers will introduce rookie big man Nerlens Noel at a 1 p.m. press conference Tuesday at the team's practice facility.

The Sixers acquired the rights to Noel, the sixth overall pick in the June 27 NBA draft, in a draft night trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for all-star point guard Jrue Holiday. The deal became official on July 12 after the NBA's business moratorium expired and Holiday finished his honeymoon.

Noel, a slight 6-foot-11, 206-pounder who left Kentucky after one season, was rated by most as the top player available in this year's draft until a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee. He is not expected to play until Christmas at the earliest.

Noel is expected to be a defensive difference-maker at the NBA level if healthy and averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocked shots while shooting 59 percent from the field at Kentucky during his freshman season.

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