Raptors Sign Solomon Alabi

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed centre Solomon Alabi (all-AH-bee). Per team policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. The Raptors acquired the draft rights to Alabi (50th overall selection) from the Dallas Mavericks on June 24 for a 2013 conditional second-round pick and cash considerations. Alabi, 7-foot-1, 250 pounds, was named All-ACC Defensive Team in his two full seasons at FSU. He started all 67 games, leading the Seminoles to the NCAA Tournament twice and the ACC Tournament Championship Game as a redshirt freshman. He averaged a school record 2.1 blocked shots per game for his career. He also shot .534 per cent from the field in his two-plus seasons with the Seminoles. A native of Nigeria, Alabi averaged a team-best 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 32 games in 2009-10 campaign. He scored in double figures 18 times, including a career-high 22 points twice, in back-to-back games against Georgia State and Auburn. He also blocked a career-best seven shots against Boston College. As a redshirt freshman in 2008-09, Alabi averaged 8.4 points and team bests of 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. He had a season-best 17 points with nine rebounds versus Clemson and rejected a season-high six shots against Charleston Southern. Alabi played nine games as a freshman in 2007-08 before being sidelined with a stress fracture in his leg.