Hornets sign Fizer, waive injured Vroman

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The New Orleans Hornets on Friday reinforced an injury-plagued frontcourt by signing forward Marcus Fizer to a 10-day contract.

Fizer replaces another former Iowa State player. Earlier in the day, the Hornets waived former Viewmont High star Jackson Vroman following a season-ending wrist injury in February.

Fizer, 6-foot-8, was honored earlier in the day as the MVP of the NBA's developmental league after averaging 22.7 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Austin Toros.

The Hornets have four injured players, including all three frontcourt starters. Forwards David West and P.J. Brown have sprained left ankles, Desmond Mason has a bruised left knee and backup guard Speedy Claxton didn't play in New Orleans' last game because of a bruised right big toe.

Fizer signed a 10-day contract with the Seattle this season but did not appear in a game. The fourth overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, Fizer has played in 232 games with the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.

Vroman averaged 1.8 points and 2.1 rebounds. He came to the Hornets from Phoenix as part of a trade involving Jim Jackson in January 2005.