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Mourning finally signs with Miami Heat
The Miami Heat announced Tuesday that they have signed free agent center Alonzo Mourning. As per club policy, terms were not disclosed. Meanwhile, the team requested waivers on swingman Wesley Person.
Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant in December of 2003, became available back on February 11 when the Toronto Raptors reached an agreement with him to buy out the remaining two years of his contract, thus clearing the way for him to become a free agent.
Toronto acquired Mourning in mid-December along with forward Eric Williams, forward/center Aaron Williams and two conditional first-round draft picks from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for All-Star swingman Vince Carter.
However, Mourning refused to report to Toronto and has spent most of his time since the trade at his home in Miami. He has not played since December 7. In 18 contests with the Nets this season, he averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
New Jersey signed the free agent Mourning to a four-year, $22 million contract prior to the 2003-04 campaign, but his time with the Nets that season lasted only 12 games because of a condition known as focal glomerulosclerosis. He was forced to stop playing on November 25, 2003 and underwent a kidney transplant less than a month later.
The 6-10 center was picked second overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1992 NBA Draft. He was then traded along with LeRon Ellis and Pete Myers to Miami on November 3, 1995 for Glen Rice, Khalid Reeves, Matt Geiger and a 1996 first-round draft choice.
The 35-year-old Mourning twice received Defensive Player of the Year honors (1999 and 2000) with the Heat. He did not play for Miami in 2002-03 because of the kidney disorder.
Mourning is a seven-time All-Star who owns career averages of 19.8 points and 9.6 rebounds.
Person signed as a free agent with the Heat in August of 2004. He averaged 3.9 points over 16 games for Miami this season.
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