Raptors sign Jawai

Posted: Fri Jul 11 2:21 PM

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors announced Friday that they have signed forward-center Nathan Jawai to a two-year contract. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

The Raptors acquired the draft rights to Jawai, the 41st overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, from the Indiana Pacers in a trade that also sent center Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto. The Pacers acquired guard T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, forward Maceo Baston and the draft rights to center Roy Hibbert in the deal.

Jawai was 2008 Rookie of the Year in Australia's National Basketball League, where he averaged 17.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-10, 280- pound big man is the first indigenous (Aboriginal) player from Australia to be drafted by an NBA team.