Sixers sign Elton Brand

PHILADELPHIA, July 9 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday signed free-agent forward Elton Brand, describing him as a player "who does all the right things."

The 6-foot-8, 254-pound Brand joins the Sixers after seven years with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Sixers did not disclose terms of Brand's contract but various news organizations, including the Philadelphia Daily News, said it was a five-year deal worth about $82 million.

Brand's career averages include 20.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

"He does all the right things, and he will be a great asset both on and off the court," Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski said.

Stefanski noted that Brand is one of four active NBA players who have career averages of more than 20 points and 10-plus rebounds a game. The other three are Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett.

"I think that should explain why we had such interest and wanted a guy like this," Stefanski said.

The 29-year-old Brand said he's fully recovered from An Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him part of the 2007-08 season

"I'm 100 percent," he said.

Brand, who starred at Duke University, was the first pick in the 1999 NBA draft. He played for two years for the Chicago Bulls before going to the Clippers.