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Elton Brand will continue to thrill Clippers fans for seasons to come.
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The Clippers are proud to announce the re-signing of All-Star forward Elton Brand.
The club matched an offer presented by the Miami Heat, thereby re-signing the restricted free agent to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“I am very pleased that Elton Brand will continue to be an important part of our organization,” stated Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. “I never doubted the outcome of this process and I couldn’t be happier.”
A four-year NBA veteran, Brand averaged 18.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 39.6 minutes in 62 games played during the 2002-03 season. Brand led the league in offensive rebounds per game (4.6) and would have placed fourth in the NBA in rebounding had he played in at least 70 games. He missed 18 games on the year with a stress fracture in his lower left leg, being placed on the injured list for the first time in his career. Brand also led the team in scoring (1,146 points), rebounding (703 rebounds) and blocked shots (158 blocks) for the second consecutive season.
“I’m excited that we have gotten Elton’s contract situation finalized,” said Clippers Head Coach Mike Dunleavy. “A big part of my decision to come here was based on coaching Elton. He is not only the cornerstone of our franchise, he is also a great professional and an All-Star.”
The first overall selection by the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 NBA Draft, Brand has tallied 19.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 38.3 minutes over his NBA career. Brand, the 2000 co-Rookie of the Year, was originally acquired by the Clippers in a draft day trade with Chicago on June 27, 2001.
Brand will again represent the United States as a member of the 2003 USA Men’s Senior National Team, taking part in the 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The tournament will be held August 20-31 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
