March 12, 2005

The Portland Trail Blazers have placed guard Nick Van Exel on the Injured List with an Arthritic Left Knee. Van Exel, who has sat out three of the last four games, is averaging 11.1ppg and 4.3apg in 53 games (34 starts) this season.

To take Van Exel's spot on the Active Roster, the Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Maurice Baker to a 10-day contract.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Baker played for the Dakota Wizards of the Continental Basketball Association this season. He averaged 17.4ppg (15th in the CBA), 7.0apg (4th) and 1.9spg (5th) in 34 games (24 starts). The 24-year-old scored 20 or more points on 15 occasions this season and dished out 11 or more assists seven times. The L.A. Clippers signed Baker to a 10-day contract on February 22nd and he appeared in one game before being waived on February 28th.

Baker began his college career at Dixie State College in St. George, UT where he was Honorable Mention All-America as a sophomore. Baker transferred to Oklahoma State and was named First Team All-Big 12 and selected to the Conference's All-Newcomer Team as a junior after averaging 19.8ppg, 6.7rpg and 4.2apg. Slowed by injuries his senior season, Baker averaged 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg and 3.3apg, earning Third Team All-Big 12 honors.

The Trail Blazers host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight in the Rose Garden. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.

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