76ers Take USC Center Vucevic
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia 76ers have selected Nikola Vucevic with the 16th pick in the NBA draft.
The 7-foot, 260-pound Vucevic, out of USC, gives the Sixers the frontcourt help they needed. Vucevic (Voo-CHAY-vitch) worked out for the Sixers in the weeks leading up to the draft.
The Sixers also have the 50th pick in the second round.
Philadelphia has won only one playoff series since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2001 NBA finals. This year, the Sixers won 41 games and stretched the Miami Heat to a five-game playoff series in Doug Collins' first season as coach.
Spencer Hawes, a restricted free agent, started at center this season. The Sixers have little depth and size and needed a big man. They have one now.
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