Gearon Says Atlanta Hawks Interested in Zydrunas Ilgauskas

By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer

Atlanta Hawks owner Michael Gearon Jr. says the team will be “very competitive” in its pursuit of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who was waived Thursday by the Washington Wizards.

Gearon, one of the Atlanta-based members of the Hawks’ ownership group, says in an e-mail to The Associated Press the Hawks “are definitely interested” in the 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas.

Ilgauskas, 34, was acquired by the Wizards from Cleveland on Feb. 17 as part of the three-team trade that sent Antawn Jamison to the Cavaliers. He didn’t play for Washington, but agreed instead to a contract buyout.

He is averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.

Ilgauskas could rejoin the Cavaliers in 30 days. He is free to sign with another team immediately.

His agent, Herb Rudoy, did not return a phone message.