Utah Jazz, Koufos strike accord

The Utah Jazz signed their first-round draft pick today, ensuring that 7-foot center Kosta Koufos, the 23rd selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, will be on the team's roster at next week's Rocky Mountain Revue.

The 19-year-old Ohio State product, who averaged 14.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.81 blocks as a freshman in his only collegiate season, will be with the Jazz when the team begins summer-league practices next Monday.

The rest of the roster should be announced by the end of this week for the Revue, which runs from July 18-25 at the Salt Lake Community College.

As per team policy, the Jazz did not release details of Koufos' rookie contract.

Koufos opted to enter the NBA Draft and join the Jazz at the expense of playing with the Greece national team, which is trying to secure a spot in the Beijing Olympics next month.

Koufos is a dual citizen of Greece and the United States, though he's lived in Ohio all of his life.

The rookie's pro debut will come against the San Antonio Spurs' summer-league squad on July 18 at 7 p.m.

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