Los Angeles, USA, July 18 (AP) - Highly regarded point guard Marko Jaric of
Yugoslavia has signed a multiyear contract with the Los Angeles Clippers
and the 2000 second-round draft pick figures to get a chance to contribute
next season.
Terms of the deal were not announced Thursday.
Jaric, a 6-foot-7, 198-pounder who averaged 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds
and 2.6 assists in 33 games for Kinder Bologna of the Italian League last
season, was taken as the 30th overall pick in the 2000 draft.
"This really strengthens our point guard position," Clippers vice president of
basketball operations Elgin Baylor said. "We like Marko's size,
competitiveness and unselfish style of play.
"His ability to push the ball up the court will fit in very well with our running
game. He also does a very good job in finding the open man."
Jaric, 23, is currently working out with Yugoslavia's national team at its
training facility in Rottenburg, Germany in preparation for the World
Championships, to be played Aug. 29-Sept. 8 in Indianapolis.
Clippers forward Elton Brand will play for the United States in the
competition.
"I'm very excited to be coming to the Clippers and the NBA," Jaric said. "I
have met Elgin Baylor and the coaching staff and I look forward to working
with everyone. I believe that I can help the team right away and look
forward to getting started."
Two-year veteran Keyon Dooling, limited to 14 games last season by a
severely sprained ankle, had been the only point guard on the roster.
Jeff McInnis, the starter last season, is an unrestricted free agent, and his
backup, Earl Boykins, was released earlier this month.
The Clippers discussed a trade involving point guard Andre Miller of the
Cleveland Cavaliers before last month's NBA draft, but the talks stalled. The
Clippers took forward Chris Wilcox and forward/center Melvin Ely in the
first round of the draft.
Jaric led Kinder Bologna to the Italian League championship, Euroleague
championship and Italian Cup championship two years ago in his first season
with the team. He played for Fortitudo Bologna the previous two seasons.
