INDIANAPOLIS, July 19 -- The Indiana Pacers Thursday signed Jamaal Tinsley, a 2001 first-round pick who they acquired in a draft day trade.
Terms were not disclosed.
As the 27th overall pick, however, Tinsley was slotted to receive a three-year deal worth no less than $1.979 million under the rookie salary scale. The Pacers hold an option for a fourth year.
The 6-3, 185-pound Tinsley was chosen by the Vancouver franchise that moved to Memphis just days later. Memphis was picking for the Atlanta Hawks as part of a draft day deal.
The Hawks then traded Tinsley's rights to the Pacers for a future first-round pick. He likely will be groomed to back up Travis Best.
Tinsley spent two seasons at San Jacinto Community College before leading Iowa State to back-to-back No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
He ranks fifth at Iowa State in both career assists (431) and steals (177) despite playing only two years and averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 assists and 2.5 steals as a senior.
Tinsley was a two-time first-team all-California Community College selection and two-time Foothill Conference MVP at San Jacinto.
