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Sixers add Lawal to 'pipeline'

BILBAO, Spain -- Newly acquired Sixer Gani Lawal did not attend the team's practice here at the Bizkala Arena at the Biblao Exhibition Center.

But the post player was a hot topic.

"Gani is another young athletic player who we hope to put in our pipeline," general manager Sam Hinkie said, "and a guy that has a chance to develop and sees opportunity here, which is why he did what he did and is willing to come here and compete for a spot."

The 6-foot-9, 234-pounder signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Sixers on Friday.  The team was forced to waive Solomon Alabi to make room on the 20-man preseason roster.

"In our mind, he's another player that can be in the pipeline," Hinkie said of Lawal.

The 6-foot-9, 234-pounder was a second-round by the Phoenix Suns in 2010. The Georgia Tech product played in one game for the Suns during the 2010-11 season before suffering a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear. The Nigerian native spent the next two seasons playing overseas.

His most recent stop was with VEF Riga on the Latvian League in Latvia. He signed with the team in August. It was reported that he chose not travel to Euroleague qualifier and that the team didn't like his attitude. Lawal and VEF Riga parted ways on Thursday.

"I think it's a good" addition, new coach Brett Brown said of the signing. "We need bigs. We are injured. I know him from the past. And I think he's got a potential to fit into the group."

Brown met Lawal as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Lawal was part of the Spurs training camp in 2011.

Contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers.