On the day the 76ers unveiled a new floor for their home court at the Wachovia Center, team president and general manager Ed Stefanski also took care of some other business - when he officially added Royal Ivey to the roster yesterday after the veteran guard passed a physical.
The 6-foot-4 Ivey, who agreed to terms with the Sixers earlier this month, is believed to have signed a one-year deal that will pay him around $1 million. Ivey, a 27-year-old five-year pro, played for the Sixers last season before opting out of the second-year of his contract. A reserve, Ivey appeared in 71 games off the bench and averaged 3.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 12.1 minutes. He gave the Sixers steady ballhandling in his spot duty.
"We are fortunate to be able to bring back Royal Ivey, an experienced guard with good size," Stefanski said, "who is familiar with our team and core philosophies."
The Sixers are expecting center Primoz Brezec to come in later this week to take a physical and put the finishing touches on the one-year contract he accepted for the seven-year veteran's minimum of $1,107,572.
The 7-foot-1 native of Slovenia, who is 29, played for Virtus Roma of Italy in the Euroleague last season and averaged 9.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He has seen time with the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Bobcats, the Detroit Pistons, and the Toronto Raptors.
With Ivey and Brezec on the roster, the Sixers have 12 players; they are looking to add a swingman and another frontcourt player. Any newcomers are expected to serve as end-of-the-bench reserves.
"It's pretty quiet right now," Stefanski said. "As of right now, we don't have to rush into anything. We might just invite some guys to camp and let them compete for a spot. Or wait until September to see who doesn't have a home."
With more than 200 kids from the Walnut Street YMCA in Wilmington helping out, Stefanski was busy yesterday morning removing a massive tarp that was covering the newly designed Sixers Basketball court. It includes the team's primary logo at midcourt, and a traditional color scheme of red, white and blue.
The changes are a throwback to a scheme that was established in 1963 and last used in 1996-97.
Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583 or ktatum@phillynews.com.
