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Spurs: Udoka agrees to contract
Web Posted: 08/13/2007 11:11 PM CDT
Mike Monroe
San Antonio Express-News
Ime Udoka, a 6-foot-5 swingman whose path to the NBA was not unlike that of Bruce Bowen, has agreed to terms of a contract that will make him a Spur, according to agent Erin Cowan.
If Udoka's game continues to develop, he may eventually be the 36-year-old Bowen's successor as the Spurs' starting small forward.
Udoka played his first full season in the NBA in 2006-07, starting 75 games for the Trail Blazers. A fan favorite in Portland, Udoka averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 28.6 minutes a game. A Portland native, he refused to give up his dream of playing in the NBA after his college career at Portland State ended in 2000.
An unrestricted free agent with a reputation as a hard worker and tireless defender, Udoka's deal may be finalized today, according to Cowan. The Spurs' offer is believed to be worth slightly more than $2 million over the next two seasons.
Like Bowen, who went undrafted out of Cal State-Fullerton and spent time in a pro league in France and in the Continental Basketball Association, Udoka paid plenty of dues before getting to the NBA.
He played professionally in Spain and France and in minor leagues in the United States before getting a contract for a full NBA season.
After playing overseas, Udoka spent three seasons in the National Basketball Development League, first in Charleston, S.C., and finally with the Fort Worth Flyers. He earned first-team All-NBDL honors in 2005-06, when he averaged 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds for Fort Worth.
Udoka, who turned 30 on Aug. 9, not only earned a spot on the Trail Blazers' roster last season, but was a starter by the regular-season opener. After trading for forward James Jones and signing free agents Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake, the Blazers have no room for Udoka.
Cowan, who said the Spurs had been the first team to express interest in signing Udoka, then shopped his client to several other teams, including the Heat, Mavericks and Celtics. Ultimately, Udoka chose to accept the Spurs' offer.
"We're just waiting to work out the final details," Cowan said.
When the free-agent market opened July 1, the Spurs focused their initial efforts on re-signing players from their own roster. In short order, they renewed deals with Fabricio Oberto, Jacque Vaughn and Matt Bonner.
Once those players were back in place, they spoke with Cowan about Udoka, one of the few available free agents from other teams in whom they showed interest. Cowan stressed that Udoka is excited about the prospect of "playing on the grand stage for the defending champions.
"He's excited to start the next phase of his career," Cowan told The (Portland) Oregonian. "He wants to be a Spur for a long time."
Udoka impressed scouts this season with his dedication to perimeter defense and work to make himself a more effective 3-point shooter. Like Bowen, Udoka is a self-made shooter.
He made 46 percent of all his shots last season and finished 19th in the NBA in 3-point percentage, making 40.1 percent.
Unlike Bowen, Udoka does not have a reputation as a defender who sometimes plays too physically.
In fact, he won the NBDL's Joel Collier Sportsmanship Award for the 2005-06 season.
Udoka's signing gives the Spurs 14 players under contract for next season, and he effectively fills the roster spot vacated when the Spurs waived James White.
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