Former Rebel Wood signs multiyear deal with 76ers

By Jesse Granger

Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 | 12:33 p.m.

Former UNLV basketball forward Christian Wood announced today on social media he has signed a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

After Wood wasn't selected in June’s NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets signed him for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he played in four games and averaged 6.5 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.

That was the extent of Wood’s career with the Rockets, but Monday he got a second chance at the NBA.

Wood’s agent, Matt Ramker, tweeted, “Proud to announce Christian Wood @Chriswood_5 has agreed to terms with the Philadelphia 76ers. #Sixers #ASM #UNLV #FindlayPrep”.

At 19, Wood has plenty of time to earn his way onto the court. According to multiple reports, including from Derek Bodner of Philly Mag, the contract is for four years and is partly guaranteed.

Wood averaged 15.7 points, 10 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game during his sophomore season with the Runnin’ Rebels before declaring early for the draft.

The 6-foot-11 forward was named to the first team All-Mountain West in 2014-15 after recording 18 double-doubles — eighth in the NCAA. During his brief career with the Rebels, Wood played in 63 games, 34 as a starter.

His play at UNLV was good enough to garner national attention, and most NBA Draft experts expected Wood would be drafted late in the first round.

ESPN’s Chad Ford projected Wood would go to the Boston Celtics with the 28th pick, while CBS Sports had him slated to the Portland Blazers at 24.

But Wood’s stock plummeted after a poor showing at the NBA’s draft combine in May, where he registered the second-worst body-fat measurement (14.7 percent) of all draftees.

With this multiyear contract, Wood will have time to prove himself on the court.

Jesse Granger can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/JesseGranger_.