March 26, 2004

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent Forward Desmond Ferguson to a 10-day contract. Ferguson will replace Guard Omar Cook on the active roster. Cook was placed on the Injured List with left Quadriceps Tendonitis.

The 6-foot-7, 210-pound Ferguson started the 2003-2004 season playing for CB Granada in Spain. He also appeared in one regular season game and four playoff games for the Rockford Lightning of the Continental Basketball Association this year.

In the playoffs, he averaged 19.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg, shooting 41.0% (16-of-39) from three-point range.

Ferguson, 26, played college basketball at Detroit Mercy where he finished his career as the only player in school history to make at least 70 three-pointers in three different seasons.

Since completing his college eligibility in 2000, Ferguson has played professionally in the Netherlands, Italy, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic as well as three seasons in the CBA.

Ferguson, who will wear jersey #5, will be in uniform tomorrow night when the Blazers host the Seattle Supersonics in the Rose Garden at 7pm.