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Pacers Sign Al Jefferson

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers announced Friday they have signed veteran free agent center Al Jefferson to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, no terms are released.

The 6-10, 289-pound Jefferson spent the last three seasons of his 12-year NBA career with Charlotte. Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2004 (first round, 15th overall) out of Prentiss (Mississippi) High School, Jefferson was with Boston three seasons before being traded to Minnesota. He spent three years there before being traded to Utah, where he played for three seasons. He then signed as a free agent with Charlotte in 2013.

"We want to welcome Al to the Indiana Pacers," said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. "Al is a good, solid, veteran player. We know what he brings to our team, scoring, rebounding and he’s a handful down in the post. Not only do we think he'll help us a lot on the court, we think he will be a good mentor for Myles Turner. He's a proven player in this league and we are very confident he will help us in many ways."

Jefferson has career averages of 16.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He averaged a career best of 23.1 in points in 2008-09 and a career best 11.1 rebounds in 2007-08. In 2014, he was a third team All-NBA selection.