Sixers sign two draft picks
The Sixers signed rookies Nikola Vucevic and Lavoy Allen before the first practice today, and announced four non-roster players also practicing.
The Sixers announced that they have signed center Nikola Vucevic and forward Lavoy Allen before the first practice today.
They also said that Antonio Anderson, Dwayne Jones (Saint Joseph's), Mike Tisdale (Illinois) and Xavier Silas are in camp as non-roster players.
Vucevic was taken with the 16th overall pick and coach Doug Collins has said that he envisions the USC product to get somewhere around 15 minutes of play. Vucevic returned to his native Montenegro and played in a European pro league during the lockout.
Allen, a Temple product selected 50th overall, has a legitimate shot at making the team as Collins and the front office like his athleticism and defensive play. Allen has been playing in France.
Here are bios on the other four players courtesy of the Sixers:
Anderson (6-6, 210) earned Conference USA All-Defensive Team honors his sophomore, junior and senior seasons at Memphis. He went undrafted in 2009 but took part in Charlotte's training camp in 2009 and Houston's in 2010. Anderson has also logged over 80 games in the D-League over the past three seasons, including three so far this month with the Sixers affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.
Jones (6-11, 248) has appeared in a total of 82 games across five NBA seasons with Boston, Cleveland, Charlotte and Phoenix. The Saint Joe's product played in both China and Puerto Rico last season. Jones has also logged over 100 games in the D-League, most recently with the Austin Toros in 2009-10.
Tisdale (7-1, 248) was not selected in the 2011 NBA Draft following four seasons at Illinois. As a senior, he was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by media. For his career, Tisdale shot 53.5% from the floor and tied the school record for most games played (139). Tisdale has appeared in four games for the Maine Red Claws this season.
Silas (6-5, 205) went undrafted this past June after his senior season at Northern Illinois but signed to play with BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral of the French League. He led the Mid-American Conference in scoring with 22.3 points per game while shooting 45.9% from the floor, 41.3% from 3-point range and 85.1% from the line. His father, James Silas, appeared in nearly 700 games in the ABA and NBA combined.