Former Long Beach State point guard Casper Ware has realized his NBA dream, as he signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
After spending the majority of the last two years playing in Italy, Ware will return to the United States to join the 76ers, who have the second-worst record in the NBA at 15-55. Ware has had stints with the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons during the NBA summer league, but neither resulted in a contract.
Prior to joining Italian teams A.S. Junior Casale and Virtus Bologna for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, respectively, Ware was a star point guard at LBSU. A four-year starter, Ware won two Big West Player of the Year awards and led the 49ers to three straight Big West Tournament finals appearances, winning the last one in his senior year.
The last LBSU player to play in the NBA was Bryon Russell, who retired following the 2005-06 season.