Basketball New Zealand

Sean Marks has found a new home in the Bayou with the New Orlean Hornets

New Zealand’s first NBA player Sean Marks has found his fifth home, after signing with the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday.

“We are excited for Sean to join our team,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower.

“He is a veteran leader, who has been on winning teams and will be a great addition to our frontcourt.”

Marks is a nine-year NBA veteran with career averages of 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game. He has played with four different teams — Toronto, Miami, San Antonio and Phoenix. When he made his debut as a rookie on March 16, 1999 with the Raptors, he became the first Kiwi to play in the NBA.

Most recently with the Suns, Marks played in 19 games during the 2007-08 season, shooting 53.5% (23-of-43) from the field and averaging 3.1 points per contest. He scored in 13 of 19 appearances, including a season-high 16 points and career-high 13 rebounds in the Suns’ season finale Apr. 16 against Portland.

A native of Auckland, New Zealand, Marks played at California, appearing in 86 career games. As a senior, he averaged 9.8 points and 7.6 rebounds in 26 contests.