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The Seattle SuperSonics today signed guard Mateen Cleaves to a 10-day contract, Sonics General Manager Rick Sund announced.

A 6-2 guard out of Michigan State, Cleaves began this season with the Sonics and averaged 3.4 points, 1.7 assists and 9.3 minutes per game in 19 appearances. He was waived Jan. 4.

Cleaves signed with Fayetteville of the NBA Development League on Jan. 21 and played in one game with the Patriots. He recorded six points, four assists and three rebounds in a win vs. Roanoke Jan. 22.

Cleaves, a five-year veteran, has averaged 3.8 ppg, 1.9 apg and 1.1 rpg in 159 NBA career games. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the first round (14th pick overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft.

The Sonics roster now stands at 15 players.

InsideHoops.com Editor Says: Cleaves is good for temporary fill-in work at the backup point guard spot. He'll have to keep fighting to stay in the league for an extended period of time.