Raptors sign free agent C Bateer

TORONTO (Ticker) - The Toronto Raptors remained busy in the free agent market.

The Raptors made Mengke Bateer their third free agent acquisition in two days Thursday, signing the Chinese center to an undisclosed contract.

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The 6-11, 290-pound Mengke was the second player from China to appear n the NBA, following Wang Zhizhi. He saw limited action with San Antonio last season, averaging just 0.8 points and 0.8 rebounds in 12 games, after spending the 2001-02 campaign with the Denver Nuggets.

"Bateer is an established international player who hasn't had an opportunity to prove himself at the NBA level," Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald said. "We feel he can provide our team with needed size and strength in the middle."

On Wednesday, Toronto signed former New Orleans Hornets forward Jerome Moiso and former Cleveland Cavaiers guard Milt Palacio.