Clippers Re-Sign Nesby

The Los Angeles Clippers re-signed forward Tyrone Nesby on Monday, matching the three-year, $8.9 million offer the 6-foot-6 forward signed with the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

Nesby, who averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a rookie with the Clippers last season, signed the offer sheet over the weekend. Since he is a restricted free agent, the Clippers had 15 days to match it, and did so Monday, shortly after receiving it from the Spurs.

"There was never any question that we would re-sign Tyrone Nesby and doing so was one of our top priorities this summer," Clippers executive vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor said.

The Clippers believe they will be strong at small forward during the upcoming season with Nesby and rookie Lamar Odom, their first-round draft choice, at the position.

As an undrafted free agent, Nesby earned a starting position with the Clippers 13 games into the abbreviated 1999 season and finished sixth among NBA rookies in scoring, fourth in 3-point percentage (36.5 percent), fifth in free-throw percentage (78.2 percent) and eighth in rebounding.

Nesby led UNLV in scoring as a senior, averaging 15.8 points as well as 5.6 rebounds, but wasn't taken in the NBA draft.

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