Spurs keep Novak, make Jeffers signing official

The San Antonio Spurs, today, announced that they have signed forward Steve Novak for the remainder of the season.

Novak was on his second 10-day contract after being originally called up from the Reno Bighorns on February 8.

Novak, a 6-10 forward, has appeared in eight games for the Spurs, averaging 2.5 points in 6.1 minutes per game, while shooting .462 (6-13) from the field and .444 (4-9) from three-point territory.

At the same time, the Spurs also officially announced they have signed Othyus Jeffers from the Iowa Energy to a 10-day contract.

Jeffers, a 6-5 guard/forward, has appeared in 37 games with the Energy this season, averaging 21.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.95 steals in 38.4 minutes while shooting .480 (276-575) from the field, .295 (13-44) from three-point range and .741 (22-293) from the foul line.  He’s led the Energy to a D-League best 30-10 record, reaching double figures in scoring in all 37 games he’s appeared in. Jeffers has registered 17 double-doubles on the season, including a 32 point, 18 rebound performance at Tulsa on Nov. 26.

Jeffers scored 14 points in 20 minutes for the Western Conference in the D-League All-Star game last month, was a D-League leader in points, and rebounds well for his size, having two 12 rebound games in his last three games with the Energy.

I was a bit surprised to see the Spurs call up a guard/forward, especially with Tony Parker out of commission for a couple of weeks. I don’t expect Jeffers to get major minutes, especially playing behind Manu Ginobili, Gary Neal and James Anderson. The Spurs could give Jeffers or Anderson more minutes at small forward, but with a tough schedule starting tonight against the Heat, I wouldn’t expect significant minutes from Jeffers.