Magic Sign Matt Freije, Felipe Lopez
September 29, 2005
Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Matt Freije (FRI-jee) and guard Felipe Lopez, President/CEO Bob Vander Weide announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.
Freije (6’10”, 249, 10/2/81) appeared in 23 games last season with New Orleans, averaging 4.0 ppg. and 2.7 rpg. in 19.2 minpg. He also started in 11 contests for the Hornets, averaging 5.7 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 27.5 minpg. during that span. Freije scored in double figures three times, including a career-high 12 points on Dec. 26 @ Cleveland. He also pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds in the same outing. Freije was waived by New Orleans on Jan. 21.
Originally selected in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft by Miami, Freije spent four seasons at Vanderbilt University. He finished his collegiate career as the Commodores’ all-time leading scorer (1,891 points) and finished on the school’s all-time list in free throws made (2nd, 446), blocked shots (3rd, 72) and three-point field goals made (6th, 183). Following his senior season (2003-04), Freije was named First Team All-SEC by both The Associated Press and league coaches, and was named Third Team All-American by the NABC.
Lopez (6’5”, 195, 12/19/74) was originally selected by San Antonio in the first round (24th overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft. He has played in 249 career NBA regular season games with Vancouver, Washington and Minnesota, averaging 5.8 ppg., 2.4 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 16.6 minpg.
Lopez spent four seasons at St. John’s University. He finished his collegiate career ranked third on SJU’s all-time scoring list with 1,927 points (trailing only Chris Mullin and Malik Sealy) and sixth in Big East history with 1,222 conference points. Lopez also holds the Red Storm record for most three-pointers made in a single season (60) and in a career (148). He averaged a career-high 17.8 ppg. as a freshman and earned All-Big East Rookie Team and All-Big East Third Team honors. Lopez averaged 16.2 ppg. and 15.9 ppg. during his next two seasons, then averaged 17.6 ppg. as a senior, garnering All-Big East First Team honors.
Orlando opens training camp on October 4 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Complete Schedule
Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Matt Freije (FRI-jee) and guard Felipe Lopez, President/CEO Bob Vander Weide announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.
Freije (6’10”, 249, 10/2/81) appeared in 23 games last season with New Orleans, averaging 4.0 ppg. and 2.7 rpg. in 19.2 minpg. He also started in 11 contests for the Hornets, averaging 5.7 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 27.5 minpg. during that span. Freije scored in double figures three times, including a career-high 12 points on Dec. 26 @ Cleveland. He also pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds in the same outing. Freije was waived by New Orleans on Jan. 21.
Originally selected in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft by Miami, Freije spent four seasons at Vanderbilt University. He finished his collegiate career as the Commodores’ all-time leading scorer (1,891 points) and finished on the school’s all-time list in free throws made (2nd, 446), blocked shots (3rd, 72) and three-point field goals made (6th, 183). Following his senior season (2003-04), Freije was named First Team All-SEC by both The Associated Press and league coaches, and was named Third Team All-American by the NABC.
Lopez (6’5”, 195, 12/19/74) was originally selected by San Antonio in the first round (24th overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft. He has played in 249 career NBA regular season games with Vancouver, Washington and Minnesota, averaging 5.8 ppg., 2.4 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 16.6 minpg.
Lopez spent four seasons at St. John’s University. He finished his collegiate career ranked third on SJU’s all-time scoring list with 1,927 points (trailing only Chris Mullin and Malik Sealy) and sixth in Big East history with 1,222 conference points. Lopez also holds the Red Storm record for most three-pointers made in a single season (60) and in a career (148). He averaged a career-high 17.8 ppg. as a freshman and earned All-Big East Rookie Team and All-Big East Third Team honors. Lopez averaged 16.2 ppg. and 15.9 ppg. during his next two seasons, then averaged 17.6 ppg. as a senior, garnering All-Big East First Team honors.
Orlando opens training camp on October 4 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Complete Schedule
