Wizards add former first-rounder Almond
The Washington Wizards added a former first-round pick to their lineup Monday, when they signed Morris Almond from the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.
Almond, 27, was a star in college at Rice University, where he was named the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2007. However, after being drafted in the first round (25th overall), the 6-foot-5 guard struggled to find his game at the NBA level. He played in just 34 games in two seasons with the Jazz, averaging 3.1 points per game on 38.5 percent shooting.
After stops in Spain, Italy and Ukraine, Almond returned to the U.S. earlier this year, signing with the Red Claws. In 29 games with Maine, Almond is averaging 23.4 points per game on 54.3 percent shooting. He's also pulling down six rebounds per contest.
The Wizards (14-46, fourth in Southeast Division) face the Chicago Bulls (46-14, first in Central Division) on Monday night. Game time is 8:00 p.m. ET at the United Center.
