The New Orleans Hornets filled their need for a backup center by signing former Los Angeles Clipper Sean Rooks as a free agent Monday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Rooks, 33, averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 70 games with the Clippers last season. He fills the void left when Jerome Moiso signed as a free agent with Toronto last week.


"We feel like this signing solidifies our frontline," Hornets General Manager Bob Bass said. "He's an important piece for this organization. He gives us a totally different look. He can play in the high post and all of our other big guys are low post players. He sets such good screens that he can free up Jamal (Mashburn) and Baron (Davis). If teams switch off of him he can shoot a real good percentage on his jump shot."