The Seattle SuperSonics today signed first round draft pick
Nick Collison to a contract, Sonics General Manager Rick Sund announced. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Collison |
Collison, 22, was the Sonics first-round selection (12th overall) in NBA Draft 2003 held on June 26. The Iowa native will be a member of the 2003 USA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Team that will compete Aug. 20-31, 2003 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“We’re thrilled to have Nick in Seattle,” said Sund. “He is a player that will provide us with strength and depth at the power forward position. Nick’s participation in both our summer-league and USA Basketball in August will accelerate his adjustment to the NBA.”
The 6-9 forward averaged 14.8 points and eight rebounds per game in four years at the University of Kansas. Collison was named First Team All-America by the Associated Press as a senior. That same year, he was voted Big 12 Conference Player of the Year by the coaches and was the National Association of Basketball Coaches selection as National Player of the Year.
“I'm grateful for the opportunity the Sonics have given me to begin my career in Seattle,” said Collison. “I love the coaching staff and I’m really looking forward to the season.”
The Sonics summer-league team will host an open practice on Tuesday, July 8 at Seattle Pacific University from 6-8 p.m. that is free to both the media and the public.
The Sonics will participate in the Summer Pro League at Long Beach State July 10-19, 2003.
