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The San Antonio Spurs have signed Summer League sensation Gary Neal to a three-year guaranteed contract according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.
Neal, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who split his college career between LaSalle and Towson, played for the Spurs Summer League team in Las Vegas last week after spending the last three seasons playing in Europe. The 25-year-old averaged 16 points while shooting 50% from the field - including a scorching 17-of-34 from beyond the arc.
Neal's most memorable game came on the last day of Summer League when his Spurs faced off against the Memphis Grizzlies. Neal began the game with a four-point play and before three minutes had went by in the first quarter, Neal was able to give the Spurs a 13-0 advantage - all by himself and with Grizzlies rotation player Sam Young defending him. Neal hit one more from long distance before the quarter was over and finished the game with 25 points - including hitting 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.
While I'm not sure where exactly Neal fits in with the Spurs - it more than likely means the end of Malik Hairston's run - he should be able to come in and provide instant offense for the second unit as well as a very reliable option from beyond the arc. Both of those facets of his game have been with him since averaging over 25 points per game in his junior and senior years at Towson and followed him overseas. In Vegas, though it was Summer League and the first time I'd actually watched him play, he also seemed to be a solid defender and ball handler as well.
After the jump, for your perusal, some Gary Neal highlights/interview.
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