| | Associated Press
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks signed draft picks Joel
Przybilla to a multi-year contract and Jason Hart to a two-year deal
Saturday.
Przybilla, Houston's ninth overall pick in last month's draft,
was traded to Milwaukee on draft day for the rights to Jason
Collier and a future first-round pick.
Terms of his contract were not disclosed, but under the terms of
the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, Przybilla received a
three-year, $4,885,200 deal with annual salaries of $1,416,000,
$1,628,400 and $1,840,800. The Bucks hold an option for a fourth
year.
"Joel is a very big athletic big man," general manager Ernie
Grunfeld said. "He's a very good shot blocker, rebounder and
passer who we feel has a very good future ahead of him."
Przybilla, who left Minnesota during his sophomore year after
being suspended for failing to meet academic requirements, has been
working out with the Bucks since Wednesday at their training gym in
suburban St. Francis.
"Joel is obviously a young player and we're going to have to
work very hard with him, but we really feel very good about his
future and think we may have a center here for the next 10 or 12
years," Grunfeld said.
Przybilla led Minnesota with 14.2 points per game, 8.4 rebounds
per game and 81 blocked shots last season.
"His reaction to the ball and his shot blocking, along with his
instinctive timing is pretty impressive on film," Bucks coach
George Karl said. "Offensively, I see him to be a little raw, but
we right now don't need a lot of offense. We need the defensive
presence and that is his strength; it's a big part of his game."
Hart was the Bucks' second pick in the second round of the
draft, 49th overall. Hart, known as a defensive stopper at
Syracuse, will challenge Rafer Alston for the job of backup point
guard behind Sam Cassell.
Hart finished his four years at Syracuse as its career leader in
steals at 329 and second in assists at 709.
"Jason Hart is an excellent defender and was one of the best
defensive point guards in college basketball last season,"
Grunfeld said. "He has very good size, strength, speed and
quickness."
Hart and Michael Redd, the Bucks' first pick in the second round
and the 43rd player selected, also have been working out with the
team. Milwaukee's first summer league begins in mid-July at
Atlanta.
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