NBA notebook: Spurs sign Pondexter

[August 30, 2018]    The San Antonio Spurs announced Wednesday that they have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent swingman Quincy Pondexter.

The deal is worth just over $2 million, according to Spotrac. The agreement between Pondexter and the Spurs was initially reported by ESPN on Monday.

Pondexter, 30, is trying to revive his career after a knee injury. He was the 26th overall pick of the 2010 draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who dealt him to the then-New Orleans Hornets.

The 6-foot-7 Pondexter averaged 2.0 points in 23 games for the Chicago Bulls last season before being released.

--The NBA, its players union and the NCAA will collaborate to help expand the reach and focus of the Men's Junior National Team program, USA Basketball announced.

The announcement comes three weeks after the NCAA announced major changes that impacted "elite" high school players, a move that seemingly caught the NBA and NBPA by surprise.

In the new partnership, the groups will look to provide player development on and off the court to more than 80 high school players. About 20 athletes from each high school class will take part in six training camps and competitions through the 2018-19 calendar year, with an off-court emphasis on health and wellness and life skills through year-round player-development programming.

--The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm announced a 20-year partnership that, among other initiatives, will rename Philips Arena as State Farm Arena beginning this season.

The current name has been used since the building, which cost $213.5 million to build, opened in 1999. The arena is currently finishing up a $192.5 million renovation -- the second-largest in NBA history -- that includes the league's third-largest center-hung screen as well as new amenities such as Topgolf Swing Suites and a four-chair barbershop overlooking the court.

Per a press release, the collaboration between the Hawks and State Farm will also benefit the Atlanta metropolitan area through community engagement programs and philanthropic initiatives.

--Field Level Media

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