Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced Monday that the team has re-signed guard DeShawn Stevenson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.
In his first season with Washington, Stevenson averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and a career-high 2.7 assists in 82 games played. He also registered career-highs in field goal percentage (.461) and three-point field goal percentage (.404), and made a career-best 74 three-pointers.
As the only Wizards player to have started all 82 regular season games in 2006-07, Stevenson extended his streak to 168 consecutive game started; the third-longest active streak in the NBA behind only San Antonio’s Bruce Bowen and Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS PRESIDENT ERNIE GRUNFELD
On re-signing DeShawn Stevenson:
“We really wanted to keep this team together. DeShawn is one of our starters and an important part of our team. We plan to have a very successful year with him as our starting shooting guard.†�
On Stevenson’s importance to the Wizards:
“We felt that last year when our season was going very well, he was a big part of that. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor; he gets along well with his teammates and is a great asset to the team.†�
On Stevenson’s role with the Wizards last season:
“I think his toughness and his professionalism were outstanding. He never took a day off and he competed every day, not only in games, but also in practice situations. He accepted the role that the coaching staff had for him, and he never complained about anything, and the only thing that he was interested in was winning.†�
HEAD COACH EDDIE JORDAN
On Stevenson re-signing with the Wizards:
“We are all very happy; he is certainly one of the most coachable players I have ever been involved with. He practices every day, plays every game and he helps as many of his teammates as he can.†�
On bringing back last year’s starting five players:
“It will be beneficial for our starting five to be familiar with our offense. DeShawn brings a lot of different things to our team and is a great complement to Gilbert (Arenas).†�
GUARD DESHAWN STEVENSON
On re-signing with the Wizards:
"I think I made a good decision. I am happy to be back and I think Washington is a good fit for me. I really wanted to stay here because I believe we have a strong starting five, I have great teammates, and this was an easy choice."
On where he is now compared to last year:
“I did not get the contract I wanted last year and it was tough. I kept my head up and kept playing and it has all worked out. Eddie Jordan gave me a chance to come here and play the way I play, and Ernie did a great job in giving me the opportunity to join the Wizards. Everything we talked about happened, and I had a great year as a part of this team.†�
Wizards TV Analyst Glenn Consor give his thoughts on which Wizards players caught his eye at NBA Summer League 2007 Dominic McGuire: NBATV announcers stated he is the "steal" of the 2007 Draft at 47. Too early to make that claim however; Where do I begin? Rare combination of above the rim
