August 3, 2005
Hornets Re-Sign Chris Andersen
New Orleans - The Hornets announced that they have re-signed free agent forward/center Chris Andersen. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.
“One of our top priorities of the summer was to re-sign Chris due to the development of his overall game last season,” said Hornets General Manager Allan Bristow. “We’re excited to see him continue that progress while still giving us hustle, defense and rebounding that got him to where he is today.
Andersen originally signed with the Hornets on July 16, 2004 after spending the first three seasons of his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while leading the Hornets with 1.49 blocks and a .534 (191-358) field goal percentage in 67 games last season. Andersen, a crowd favorite at New Orleans Arena, was the team’s leading scorer off the bench and posted career-high totals in virtually every offensive category.
“In addition to the work ethic and skills he shows on the court, Chris is one of our most active players in the community,” said Hornets President Paul Mott. “When you combine that with his personality, it’s easy to see why he made such a connection with our fans last season.”
Andersen, who is known as “Birdman,” Has pledged to buy $25,000 worth of tickets for the 2005-06 season that will be distributed to various charities throughout the year. He was the 2005 Hornets Books & Bugs spokesperson, handed out gifts to children at the Second Harvest Kids Café during Christmas and later helped the Kids Café establish a website with his own funds. Most recently, Andersen has appeared at the Hornets Summer Hoops clinics throughout the region.
The 6-10 native of Iola, Texas, scored in double figures 22 times last season and reached double figures in rebounds 13 times. He started two games, averaging 6.5 points and 11.5 rebounds. Andersen had his best stretch of the season from January 14-22 when he averaged 11.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting .568 (21-37) from the floor over six games.
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Andersen originally signed with the Hornets on July 16, 2004 after spending the first three seasons of his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while leading the Hornets with 1.49 blocks and a .534 (191-358) field goal percentage in 67 games last season. Andersen, a crowd favorite at New Orleans Arena, was the team’s leading scorer off the bench and posted career-high totals in virtually every offensive category.
“In addition to the work ethic and skills he shows on the court, Chris is one of our most active players in the community,” said Hornets President Paul Mott. “When you combine that with his personality, it’s easy to see why he made such a connection with our fans last season.”
Andersen, who is known as “Birdman,” Has pledged to buy $25,000 worth of tickets for the 2005-06 season that will be distributed to various charities throughout the year. He was the 2005 Hornets Books & Bugs spokesperson, handed out gifts to children at the Second Harvest Kids Café during Christmas and later helped the Kids Café establish a website with his own funds. Most recently, Andersen has appeared at the Hornets Summer Hoops clinics throughout the region.
The 6-10 native of Iola, Texas, scored in double figures 22 times last season and reached double figures in rebounds 13 times. He started two games, averaging 6.5 points and 11.5 rebounds. Andersen had his best stretch of the season from January 14-22 when he averaged 11.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting .568 (21-37) from the floor over six games.
