Warriors officially sign former Sixer

-Courtesy of the Golden State Warriors

OAKLAND, CA - The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent forward/center Chris Webber to a contract, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

Webber, 34, appeared in 61 games (60 starts) last season with Philadelphia (18 games) and Detroit (43 games), averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 29.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.9% from the field. The Detroit native registered 13 double-doubles (points/rebounds), highlighted by a 20-point/11-rebound effort versus Cleveland on March 7. He scored a season-high 24 points at Seattle on March 13 and registered double-figures in scoring 34 times overall. Additionally, Webber dished out four or more assists on 21 occasions, grabbed 10-plus rebounds 15 times and registered multiple blocked shots in 10 outings. His .509 field goal percentage would have ranked 24th overall in the NBA had he met the statistical minimums to qualify. Webber started all 16 playoff games as the Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.3 minutes, while shooting 52.4% from the field. He scored a playoff-high 22 points (10-11 FG) during the Pistons' Game 2 victory over Chicago on May 7 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

“We’re glad that Chris has elected to sign with our club and feel fortunate to add a player with his ability,” said Mullin. “We think he will be a nice addition to our team and provide additional depth to our frontcourt and an added veteran presence on the floor. Chris has enjoyed a lot of success in this league and certainly has many aspects to his game – in particular his mid-range shooting and passing ability - that will fit in well and provide us another dimension.”

“It is with great pride and humility that I announce my return to the Golden State Warriors, the place where it all started,” said Webber. “This organization and city has always had a special place in my heart because it is where my dream of being an NBA player first came true. I am looking forward to playing with Baron, Stephen and the rest of the crew and I am extremely excited to be reunited with the fans of Oakland along with Coach Nelson and my former teammate, Mully. In playing for Nellie before, I know how much fun his style of ball can be. I believe great things are in store and I can’t wait to get on the court.”

A 14-year NBA veteran, Webber is a five-time NBA All-Star selection (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) and a five-time All-NBA selection, having earned first team honors in 2001, second team honors in 1999, 2002, 2003 and third team honors in 2000. In 822 career regular-season games (819 starts) with Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit, the University of Michigan product owns averages of 20.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.45 blocks and 1.45 steals in 34.7 minutes per contest. Additionally, Webber has participated in the NBA Playoffs 10 times during his career, appearing in 80 games with averages of 18.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 36.3 minutes per game.

The 6’10’’ 245-pound forward/center returns for his second stint with the Warriors, having spent his rookie season (1993-94) in Golden State after originally being selected by Orlando with the first overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and then being acquired by the Warriors in a draft night trade. In his one season playing for the Warriors and head coach Don Nelson, Webber was named NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.22 steals and 2.16 blocks.

To make room on the roster for Webber’s arrival, the Warriors have waived guard Troy Hudson. Originally signed as a free agent on September 24, 2007, Hudson appeared in nine games this season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.0 assists in 10.4 minutes per contest. He last appeared in a game on December 12 and underwent surgery on his left hip on January 10.