July 1, 2004

ORLANDO, Fla. - Former Terrapin All-American Steve Francis was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Orlando Magic this week, along with guard Cuttino Mobley and center Kelvin Cato. Orlando guards Tracy McGrady, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines, and forward Juwan Howard, were all dealt to Houston.

Francis, who completed his fifth season in the NBA in 2004, averaged 16.6 points, a team high 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds and and 1.76 steals per game for Houston. With these efforts Francis joined Oscar Roberston, Magic Johnson, and Grant Hill as the only players in NBA history to average 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists in each of their first five seasons. A three-time NBA all-star, Francis has career averages of 19.3 ppg, 6.4 apg, 6.1 rpg and 1.63 spg.

Francis was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by Vancouver and was traded to the Rockets prior to the start of his rookie season. During his inaugural campaign Francis averaged 18.0 ppg, 6.6 apg, and 5.3 rpg, and shared 2000 NBA Co-Rookie of the Year honors with Chicago's Elton Brand.

The Takoma Park, Md., native played one season with the Terrapins and garnered second team All-America, first team All-ACC and first team ACC All-Tournament accolades. Francis averaged 17.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 2.8 spg while shooting .523 from the field. Francis is one of only 15 former Terrapin basketball players to have his jersey hung in the rafters of Comcast Center as one of the greatest players in Terrapin history.

Francis joins 2003-04 Terrapin senior Jamar Smith in the Sunshine State, as Smith is attending the Magic's rookie/free agent camp and will attempt to join Orlando's summer league team.

Following the trade, Francis said at an Orlando press conference: "We're here to fill voids the Magic know they have had in the last couple of seasons. You're going to get a gutsy effort every single night from all three of us. There's no trying to be 'too cute' or trying to be 'too cool' type of basketball from us. People have called me 'The Franchise' throughout my career, but when you have players who are willing to dive on the floor, who are willing to challenge a 6-8 or 6-9 guy ... that means you have somebody that's going to come in and lay it down. Not only myself, I can also say both these guys are willing to do the exact same thing."