Raptors sign native son Magloire to contract

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Raptors have signed Jamaal Magloire, making the center the team's first Canadian player in its 16-year history.

The club announced the signing Friday.

The 33-year-old Magloire, a 6-foot-11 Toronto native, has played 11 seasons in the NBA, averaging 7.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 22.1 minutes in 646 regular-season games with the Charlotte/New Orleans, Milwaukee, Portland, New Jersey, Dallas and Miami.

He has averaged 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 19.8 minutes in 46 playoff games.

"It's an honor,'' Magloire said. "I'm very privileged to have this opportunity. This doesn't happen very often. There's only 450 guys in this league and not only am I a part of it, I get an opportunity to come home. I'm so happy.''

He was an All-Star in 2003-04 when he started all 82 games with New Orleans, averaging 13.6 points and 10.3 rebounds.

"I tell myself I don't want to think about the past, everything I went through to get to this point because it's very hard for me,'' Magloire said. "I'm happy I'm here. I'm a Toronto Raptor. It's always been a dream of mine and I'm looking forward to having a great year.''