PHOENIX, Sept. 15 -- Looking to add experience to their backcourt, the Phoenix Suns Friday agreed to terms with veteran guard Mario Elie, a winner of three NBA championships with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.
Entering his 11th season, the 6-5 Elie won titles with the Rockets in 1994 and 1995 and with the Spurs during the lockout-shortened 1999 campaign.
The Suns, who have not advanced beyond the Western Conference semifinals since 1993, are hoping Elie's magic can rub off on them. The last two times Elie joined a new team, that club won the NBA title in his first season.
"Mario is a great competitor who has been a thorn in our side for years," Suns owner Jerry Colangelo said. "I think his experience, his competitiveness, his leadership will be invaluable to this team. And by the way, he can still play."
Last season, the Suns lost to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the conference semifinals.
Elie, 36, has a career average of 9.0 points per game for Portland, Golden State, Philadelphia, the Rockets and Spurs. He is shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 85.6 percent from the line -- 19th on the all-time list and sixth among active players.
"Mario brings many intangibles to our team," Suns coach Scott Skiles said. "He has great leadership, toughness, is a team player and has seen it all in this game. He can make open shots, he can go to the hole and he can guard people, so we're really excited about him joining us."
Originally taken by Milwaukee in the seventh round of the 1985 draft, Elie took a circuitous route to the NBA. He played in Portugal, Argentina and Ireland before signing a 10-day contract with Philadelphia on December 28, 1990.
Elie also played in the United States Basketball League and earned first-team CBA honors with the Albany Patroons in 1989-90 and 1990-91.