Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Dominic McGuire. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. McGuire, 6-8, was drafted 47th overall in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft, out of Fresno State.
“We were very pleased with what we saw from Dominic during Summer League,” said Grunfeld. “He is extremely athletic, very competitive and is a good rebounder. Dominic is a solid overall defensive player who plays with great energy.”
“I am very excited and feel very fortunate to be joining the Wizards organization,” said McGuire. “I am looking forward to doing my best to help this team accomplish their goals of getting further in the playoffs and winning a championship.”
In five games played with the Wizards during the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, McGuire averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30.2 minutes per game. Last season, in his final collegiate campaign, he averaged 13.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game (fifth in the nation). McGuire, 21, was an early entry candidate in the 2007 NBA Draft.
The Wizards kick off a five-game schedule at NBA Summer League 2007 beginning Tuesday when they face the Kings. For the first time, Wizards summer league games will be shown locally on Comcast SportsNet. Click here for more information regarding the airing of Wizards summer league games. Viewers outside the DC area can also catch the action live on NBATV and on NBA.com.
WIZARDS TO WATCH Nick Young: Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld was pleasantly surprised to see Nick Young available at the 16th pick. The former USC guard will look to show off his athleticism and scoring prowess that made him a household name at USC.
An early entry candidate in the 2007 NBA Draft, Young was a First Team All-Pac 10 selection in his sophomore and junior seasons. Young ranked among the Pac-10 leaders in scoring (17.5 ppg, 2nd), three-point field goal percentage(.440, 2nd) and field goal percentage (.525, 5th) last season.
Young has an excellent mid-range game and a fluid jump shot that will make him a viable scoring option and exciting player to watch in his Vegas Summer League debut.
Oleksiy Pecherov: Washington’s 2006 first round pick, Oleksiy Pecherov, averaged 12.6 points on 46.2 percent shooting and 7.6 rebounds for the Wizards’ summer league team last year. At 7-0, Pecherov is a tough rebounder and possesses exceptional range that stretches beyond the three-point arc.
A native of Ukraine, Pecherov averaged 12 points and eight rebounds for BC Kyiv last season. Pecherov, 21, added 10 pounds of muscle to his frame as he prepares for his first season in the NBA.
Dominic McGuire: Selected in the second round by the Wizards (47th overall), McGuire will bring his length excellent rebounding and shot blocking skills to Washington. He ranked fifth in the nation in blocked shots (3.6 bpg) during the 2006-07 season. While at Fresno State, McGuire recorded a triple-double (14 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks) in a game versus San Diego.
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
In last year’s summer league, Wizards forward Andray Blatche, a then-second year forward, averaged 16.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. During the 2006-07 campaign, Blatche made 13 starts and averaged 6.9 points (50 percent from the field), 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
The Wizards held their first of four workouts as they prepare for NBA Summer League 2007, where they will play five games beginning next Tuesday in Las Vegas.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“(This play) is just the tip of the iceberg. If you play well enough, you may get to learn the rest of (the offense)”. - said Coach Eddie Jordan to the 15 players who were learning the details of “Chin 15″, one of the dozens of options in the team’s Princeton Offense
MORE QUOTES: WIZARDS HEAD COACH EDDIE JORDAN On what he wants to see from the Summer League team:
“We want to see how they behave professionally. We want to put them to the test, push them and motivate them, and get on them a little bit to see how they react and respond. We want to see how they work and interact with their teammates.”
On Oleksiy Pecherov:
“We love his work ethic. He has the skills to put the ball in the basket, and we are pleased to see that he is rebounding well – something we thought he could do on a regular basis. He is a good rebounder and gives maximum effort. He might not always come up with the ball, but he finds a lane, he has good timing and he bangs to get rebounds, especially on the offensive end.”
On Nick Young:
“We knew that Nick has a flair to score. He has a smooth game offensively, and he has a good body to be good defensively. He has long arms. He’s athletic. He has a good vertical, and he has a great disposition about himself. He’s always smiling and he wants to learn.”
On Dominic McGuire:
“He’s made an impact already in the first day of practice. He’s made himself seen. He likes to get to the basket. He gets offensive rebounds, and he pushes the ball on the break, so he’s made the biggest impact so far to me. I’m wondering how he was just a second round pick. He’s got a long reach, a good defensive stance, and the aggressive nature to stay active. On the ball, off the ball, on offense, on defense…he’s everywhere, and he’s involved in every play. He really stood out.”
WIZARDS GUARD/FORWARD NICK YOUNG On his first practice:
“I was a little nervous because it was my first NBA practice. It was a good practice today. I am enjoying it. I have some good teammates, and we had fun today.”
On the Wizards:
“I am just excited now that I am a part of the team. I love the Washington area. It’s my second home after L.A. I am just happy to be a Washington Wizard.”
WIZARDS FORWARD/CENTER OLEKSIY PECHEROV On playing an additional year of international basketball:
“I think it was a good experience. It was a good decision. I feel more comfortable and it will help me as I get ready for this season, so I can help the team.”
On if he is ready to play in the NBA:
“I feel that I am ready to play. I just have to prove it to the coaches. I am going to go out there and do my best and do what I can to help the team.”
On what he wants to improve on:
“I want to improve on everything – my rebounding, blocking shots and playing good defense. I try to work on a lot of different things so I can be prepared.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DOMINIC MCGUIRE On the Wizards:
“I’m happy to be here. I think I definitely fit in here. Everything happens for a reason, and I’m glad I’m here.”
On his strengths:
“Defense, versatility, rebounding, and athleticism…whatever they need me to do. I’m more of a playmaker than a scorer offensively. Defensively, I like to block shots. I think I can probably guard the one through the four positions in the NBA. They have enough scorers, so they don’t need me to come in and do that. ”
On Coach Jordan’s kind words:
“That’s big. That’s the Head Coach…the person that I’m going to be playing for and taking direction from, so it’s a big compliment. I just can’t wait until summer league starts.”
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Dominic McGuire. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. McGuire, 6-8, was drafted 47th overall in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft, out of Fresno State. 
Nick Young: Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld was pleasantly surprised to see Nick Young available at the 16th pick. The former USC guard will look to show off his athleticism and scoring prowess that made him a household name at USC. 
Oleksiy Pecherov: Washington’s 2006 first round pick, Oleksiy Pecherov, averaged 12.6 points on 46.2 percent shooting and 7.6 rebounds for the Wizards’ summer league team last year. At 7-0, Pecherov is a tough rebounder and possesses exceptional range that stretches beyond the three-point arc. 
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