July 6, 2006

Life never moved this fast in Cedric Simmons' hometown of Supply, North Carolina. Exactly two weeks after becoming the 15th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, the former NC State center has signed his first pro contract with the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. Of course, there really wasn't much drama in the signing since salaries and contracts of rookies drafted in the first round are already predetermined according to draft position.

As a sophomore with the Wolfpack last season, the 6-9 Simmons was second in the ACC with 80 blocked shots, while also averaging 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.

The Hornets also signed their other first round pick on Wednesday, 6-10 center Hilton Armstrong out of Connecticut.

"We're excited to have Hilton and Cedric officially signed so that they can begin their NBA careers," team General Manager Jeff Bower told Hornets.com. "We look forward to their Hornets debut in summer league and to watching them develop as we head toward the start of the regular season."

Next stop for Simmons will be the NBA Summer Leagues, in which he will begin play with the Hornets' entry Friday in Las Vegas.