Derrick Coleman Re-Signs

Press Conference: Quotes

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Billy King announced on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 that the Sixers have signed free agent forward Derrick Coleman. Per team policy, terms of the contract are not disclosed.

Coleman, whose spirited play sparked the Sixers 23-10 record in the second half of the season last year, returned to the starting lineup after the 2003 All-Star Break and averaged 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the final 28 games of the 2002-03 season (missing five games due to injury). Coleman underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on June 11, 2002, missing the first 10 games (one game due to suspension) of the 2002-03 season, before making his debut at New Orleans on Nov. 19. After posting averages of 7.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game before the All-Star Break, Coleman’s play in the second half of the season raised his season-ending averages to 9.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and a team-leading 1.08 blocks per game in 64 games. During the Sixers 2003 playoff run, Coleman started in all 12 games, averaging 13.6 points and 8.0 rebounds, both second-best on the team, including four double-doubles in the Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit.

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Philadelphia acquired the 6-foot-10, 270-pound forward on Oct. 25, 2001, from the Charlotte Hornets, in a three-team trade involving the Hornets and Golden State, as Coleman returned for his second stint with the Sixers. He originally played in Philadelphia from 1995-98 after a five-year stay in New Jersey (1990-95). He spent three seasons (1998-01) with the Hornets prior to re-joining the Sixers lineup for the 2001-02 season.

Coleman has played in 742 career games (642 starts) averaging 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 blocks in his 13-year career in the NBA. The Detroit, Mich., native has participated on seven playoff squads during his career, boasting averages of 16.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.51 blocks per game in post-season action. The four-year starter and consensus All-American at Syracuse University (1986-90) was the first overall selection of the 1990 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets.