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Nuggets Sign Francisco Elson

The Denver Nuggets have signed F/C Francisco Elson to a multi-year contract, General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“Francisco has worked very hard to get to the NBA,” said Vandeweghe. “He is a solid addition to our frontcourt and we’re excited to have him.”

Elson, 7-0, 235, was drafted by the Nuggets in the second round (41st overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft. He has played for the Nuggets in summer league the last three years and averaged 9.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg in five games with the Nuggets at the Rocky Mountain Revue this past July.

The native of Rotterdam, the Netherlands has spent the last four years playing overseas in Spain. He appeared in 34 games for CSF Sevilla last season, averaging 9.7 ppg and 8.2 rpg. Elson also played for Valencia Basket (’01-02) and FC Barcelona (’99-01).

The University of California graduate helped the Golden Bears to the NIT Championship in 1999 and left the school ranked seventh on its all-time blocked shots list.

Elson will become the sixth Dutchman to play in the NBA, joining Hank Beenders, Dan Gadzuric, Geert Hammink, Swen Nater and Rik Smits.