Rockets sign free agent centre Camby to deal

The 17-year veteran Marcus Camby was the second overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in 1996 (AP/Darron Cummings)

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets have signed veteran free agent centre Marcus Camby.

It is the second stint for Camby in Houston after he played for the Rockets in 2012. The 39-year-old played 19 games for Houston that season and averaged 7.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.53 blocks. He was shipped to the New York Knicks by the Rockets in a sign-and-trade in July 2012 and appeared in 24 games for the Knicks last season.

The 6-foot-11 player was traded to Toronto on July 10 and waived by the Raptors on July 17.

He joins a team that has superstar centre Dwight Howard, Houston’s major free agent pickup, and last year’s starting centre Omer Asik.

The 17-year veteran was the second overall pick by the Raptors in 1996.

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