Speights signs contract with Sixers

PHILADELPHIA — Marreese Speights, taken by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16th overall pick in June’s NBA draft, signed with the team on Friday.

Speights, a 6-foot-10 forward out of Florida, will earn about $2.6 million in the first two years of the contract. The team holds an option for two additional years.

Speights received considerable playing time in the Las Vegas summer league, averaging 18.2 points and team-highs with 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in five games.

Speights declared for the draft following his sophomore year at Florida, during which he averaged 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Gators. He was a reserve on Florida’s 2007 NCAA championship team.