HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Philadelphia 76ers signed free agent center Francisco Elson this morning to bring their roster to 14 players. “We are happy to pick up Francisco Elson, a veteran big man who can help bolster our front court,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Francisco Elson 

Jorge Sierra: Free agent center Francisco Elson has signed with the Sixers, one source told HoopsHype. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Francisco Elson 

Tom Moore: Elson and Gadzuric worked out for #Sixers Thursday at PCOM. Session was closed to media and happened before brief practice. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Dan Gadzuric, Francisco Elson 

With centers Spencer Hawes and Nik Vucevic still on the shelf with injuries, team president Rod Thorn has been looking for some big men to workout with the team. On Thursday, 7-foot-1 center Francisco Elson and 6-foot-11 Dan Gadzuric will be at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for a workout with the team. CSNPhilly.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Dan Gadzuric, Francisco Elson 

Jorge Sierra: Free agent center Francisco Elson will fly to Philadelphia tomorrow for a workout with the Sixers, one source told HoopsHype. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Francisco Elson 

Cengiz Keçeli: Panionios found a replacement for BJ Mullens in Francisco Elson. Twitter

Lockout, Greece, Francisco Elson, BJ Mullens, Panionios 

Ex-Jazz center and UFA Francisco Elson explored a few international opportunities but none came to fruition. "Just waiting like everyone else," Calvin Andrews, Elson's agent. Salt Lake Tribune

Free Agency, Lockout, Francisco Elson 

Free agent center Francisco Elson is eyeing a comeback to the Spanish League if the lockout continues. “Spain is always my top country to play in Europe,” Elson said in an interview with HoopsHype. “It’s a big competition. I’ve played in Spain four years already and people know me there.” HoopsHype

Free Agency, Lockout, Spain, Francisco Elson 

“I could have signed in Spain, but it was still early. It was Bilbao. Right after the season, they contacted me but at that time I didn’t know the lockout was going to take this long.” Like most NBA players, Elson says he would ask to include an out option in any contract with a European team – unless the club wanted him for the long term.“If they want me to sign without an NBA out, it would have to be a contract for multiple years,” Elson said. HoopsHype

Free Agency, Lockout, Spain, Francisco Elson 

Some news from organizers of the upcoming interesting Holland-based EuroJam 2011 tournament, which pits NCAA men’s and women’s sides against European national teams. Confirmed for the tournament are NBA Dutchmen Francisco Elson of the Utah Jazz and Dan Gadzuric of the New Jersey Nets – BallinEurope can’t help but speculate as to whether the latter will be using his off-time during the tournament to field offers from European clubs, what with the mass exodus of Nets to the Continent. Ball In Europe

New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Dan Gadzuric, Francisco Elson 

Brian T. Smith: Jazz's Elson will not have offseason surgery on left knee. Still swollen, though. Will rest and receive treatment in Netherlands. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Injuries, Francisco Elson 

Steve Luhm: Word is Francisco Elson's visa issues have been resolves and he will actually beat the Jazz charter to New Orleans. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Utah Jazz, Francisco Elson 

Elson doesn't get bothered for autographs when he returns to his native country, either. "(Dutch) people don't bother you that much. In the Netherlands, people are so laid back and so core. I guess it's because they smoke a lot of weed. (Laughs.) Nah, but people don't really care." We'll end on that high note. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Francisco Elson 

Kevin Ding: Steve Blake on altercation w/Jazz center Francisco Elson: "For some reason I always get into it with the big guys. ... It gets me going." Twitter

Utah Jazz, Steve Blake, Francisco Elson 

Francisco Elson stuffs himself into a gray plastic chair, and before he can get comfortable his heart pours out. Basketball, he explains, is an outlet. The Jazz's newest big man plays not for the glory, or the riches, or even the satisfaction that comes with winning a ring. It's for one reason, and one only: to honor the memory of his late brother, Patrick. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Francisco Elson 

"I'm not saying I'm an awesome player, or I'm the best player, or I'm good at this, I'm good at that," Elson says. "No. It's just my dedication to him, showing I can play. "It might not be to the ultimate level, like some of the stars in the NBA. But I'm gonna try, and go out there and compete. "And him looking over me — that's all that matters. I don't really care what everybody else says, or everybody else thinks," adds Elson, who for reasons quite understandable didn't begin playing in earnest until he was 17 years old. "It's just me, out there on my own, doing my own thing and not listening to anybody. Because when I'm on the court, I have one thing in my mind — and it's just satisfying him." Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Francisco Elson 

It's still uncertain what the Utah Jazz's complete 2010-11 roster will look like, but one more piece of the puzzle has been added. On Wednesday, the franchise signed journeyman center Francisco Elson to a contract, which will be finalized after the free agent undergoes a physical. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Francisco Elson 

The Utah Jazz have moved closer to signing free agent veteran center Francisco Elson. The Jazz have targeted Elson during recent weeks as a reiiable, defensive-minded fill in for injured center Mehmet Okur. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Francisco Elson 

The Utah Jazz are expected to soon sign veteran center Francisco Elson. Calvin Andrews, Elson's agent, said Thursday an agreement has been reached in principle for a guaranteed contract for an undisclosed duration. Elson, who is in the Netherlands, must complete a physical before the deal is finalized. "I'm glad it worked out," Andrews said. "I'm glad for Francisco, and I'm glad for the Jazz." Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor is on vacation and could not be reached for comment. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Kevin O'Connor, Francisco Elson 

The Utah Jazz are expected to soon sign veteran center Francisco Elson. Calvin Andrews, Elson's agent, said Thursday an agreement has been reached in principle for a guaranteed contract for an undisclosed duration. Elson, who is in the Netherlands, must complete a physical before the deal is finalized. "I'm glad it worked out," Andrews said. "I'm glad for Francisco, and I'm glad for the Jazz." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Francisco Elson