Toronto Raptors' Jamaal Magloire (left) talks with Jose Calderon on the bench during the second half of NBA basketball pre-season action against the Boston Celtics in Toronto on Sunday December 18, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel DwulitPawel Dwulit/The Canadian Press
The Toronto Raptors have re-signed Canadian centre Jamaal Magloire, retaining a veteran presence in the middle to complement oncoming rookie Jonas Valanciunas.
Magloire averaged 1.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 11.0 minutes in 34 appearances with the Raptors last season.
The Toronto native has career averages of 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 21.9 minutes over 12 NBA seasons with Charlotte/New Orleans, Milwaukee, Portland, New Jersey, Miami and Toronto.
The six-foot-11, 265-pound Toronto native had his best season with the Hornets in 2003-04. He was named to the Eastern Conference all-star team and averaged 13.6 points, 10.3 rebounds. He was one of only 11 players that season to average a double-double.
Magloire, who signed as a free agent with the Raptors prior to last season, is the first Canadian-born player in the club's history.
He will serve as a mentor to Valanciunas, Toronto's prized centre prospect who is making his NBA debut this season.