Ashy Larry
10-14-2010, 03:46 PM
The New Orleans Hornets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nor) have signed free-agent center D.J. Mbenga (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2450).
Sources told ESPN.com that Mbenga, who arrived in New Orleans to audition for the Hornets earlier Wednesday, received a one-year deal to bolster the Hornets' front line.
The 7-footer had also drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=pho) and Portland Trail Blazers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=por) this month. Portland worked out Mbenga on Monday after the Blazers also signed free-agent center Steven Hill (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3477) on the same day.
Mbenga spent the past two-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal), playing sparingly but collecting two championship rings. The 29-year-old, who was born in Congo but represents Belgium internationally, has also played for Dallas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=dal) and Golden State (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=gsw) in a career that began in 2004-05.
Mbenga's first career double-double came early last season against the Hornets, when he totaled 10 points and 12 rebounds for L.A. on Nov. 8, 2009.
Sons, the Nola Hornets are championship bound
Sources told ESPN.com that Mbenga, who arrived in New Orleans to audition for the Hornets earlier Wednesday, received a one-year deal to bolster the Hornets' front line.
The 7-footer had also drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=pho) and Portland Trail Blazers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=por) this month. Portland worked out Mbenga on Monday after the Blazers also signed free-agent center Steven Hill (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3477) on the same day.
Mbenga spent the past two-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal), playing sparingly but collecting two championship rings. The 29-year-old, who was born in Congo but represents Belgium internationally, has also played for Dallas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=dal) and Golden State (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=gsw) in a career that began in 2004-05.
Mbenga's first career double-double came early last season against the Hornets, when he totaled 10 points and 12 rebounds for L.A. on Nov. 8, 2009.
Sons, the Nola Hornets are championship bound