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Magic Assign Marcin Gortat To Anaheim Arsenal

Anaheim, Calif., November 20, 2007 – The Orlando Magic today announced the assignment of rookie Marcin Gortat (MAR-chin GOR-tat) to the Anaheim Arsenal, their D-League affiliate. A native of Poland, the 7-foot 240 pound center-forward was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns with the 57th overall selection. His rights were acquired by Orlando on draft night (June 28, 2005) in exchange for cash considerations.

Gortat is the eighth assignment this season, joining Ramon Sessions (Milwaukee/Tulsa), Kyrulo Fesenko (Utah Jazz/Utah Flash), Steve Novak (Houston/Rio Grande Valley), Brandon Wallace (Boston/Utah Flash), JamesOn Curry (Chicago/Iowa) Kosta Perovic (Golden State/Bakersfield), and Nick Fazekas (Dallas/Tulsa). Gortat saw action in four preseason games with Orlando, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 39 minutes. Gortat also played in all five games with the Magic during the 2007 Pepsi Pro Summer League, averaging 10.0 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game and 3.20 blocks per game in 30.8 minutes per game. He has participated with Orlando’s summer league team the last three years.

"Sending Marcin to Anaheim will give him the opportunity to get some playing time, which will allow him to continue to develop his game. He has worked very hard and we know he will continue to do the same during his time in the D-League,” said Otis Smith, Orlando Magic General Manager.

Gortat spent the last three seasons (2004-07) with Rhein Energie Koln in Germany’s Bundesliga I league. Last season, he averaged 10.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting .596 from the floor in 14 games of Euroleague action. He also played in 44 games in the German League, averaging 8.9 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting .575 from the field. He was selected to the Polish National Under-22 team after having played basketball for only six months. During the summer of 2004, he was invited to play for the Polish National Team.

After arriving in Anaheim, Marcin talked with Head Coach Reggie Geary and President Jeff Jones during a brief workout. “I’m really happy to have this opportunity. Being able to play on a regular basis is something I wanted and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. Playing for the Orlando Magic and practicing against Dwight Howard has really helped me realize what it takes to be successful in the NBA. Dwight is a freak athlete and practicing against him has prepared me for the level of talent I must go against on a nightly basis in the NBA and the D-League. I’m happy to be in Anaheim and get the season started,” stated Gortat.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League’s goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 16 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives of the NBA and its teams, provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Opening Night for the Anaheim Arsenal is Saturday, November 24 at 7:30PM at the Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center. For ticket and team information please call (714)635-BALL or visit anaheimarsenal.com.


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