With injuries sidelining both their starting center, Spencer Hawes, and back up center, Nikola Vucevic, the Sixers have offiically announced the signing of veteran big man Francisco Elson, according to Public Relations Director, Michael Preston:
#Sixers announce signing of veteran center Francisco Elson. He will wear no. 16 and is at morning practice. The roster now stands at 14.
The 35 year old Elson was drafted in the second round of the 1999 NBA draft and debuted in 2003. He's from the Netherlands and went to school at the University of California. He's played for six different NBA teams, including the Sixers, of whom he played precisely four minutes for.
This time around Elson has changed his number from 8 to 16 and is likely to get more than four minutes. The Sixers front court lacks serious depth following injuries to Hawes and Vucevic, along with the early-season trade of Marreese Speights.
For more on the 76ers, check out Liberty Ballers and this fantastic open letter to Francisco Elson from two years ago.