The 76ers signed free agent Primoz Brezec yesterday after previously agreeing to terms with the 7-foot-1 center on a one-year contract. A seven-year vet who has played in 321 NBA games, Brezec is believed to have accepted the veteran's minimum of $1.1 million. The addition of Brezec gives the Sixers another big man to go with 6-11 Samuel Dalembert and 7-0 Jason Smith. "We feel that Primoz will provide us with additional size and depth in the frontcourt," Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement. "But just as beneficial is the wealth of experience he brings to the team, not only on the NBA level, but internationally as well."
Brezec, who did not play in the NBA last season, played with Charlotte, Detroit and Toronto in 2007-08, averaging 2.4 points in 50 games for the three teams. He had career averages of 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds when he left the league to play for Lottomatica Virtus Roma of the Italian League last season.
Regarded as a good shooter for his size, Brezec has made 50 percent of his NBA field-goal attempts and hit 70.6 percent of his free throws.
The 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NBA draft by Indiana, Brezec played three seasons with the Pacers before being selected by Charlotte in the?2004 expansion draft.
In the first of his three-plus seasons with the Bobcats, Brezec had his best year with averages of 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.76 blocks in 31.6 minutes. He ranked 13th in the league with 3.1 offensive rebounds per game.
A native of Slovenia, Brezec played for his country's national team. He competed in the 2003 and 2005 FIBA European Championships, and the 2006 FIBA World Championships.
With Brezec in the fold, Stefanski is in search of a swingman and a frontcourt player to complete what he expects to be a 14-man roster.
Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583 or ktatum@phillynews.com.
