TOWSON, Md. – Former Tiger Gary Neal is finally back in the NBA, having just signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

Neal, a nine-year veteran of professional basketball, the last six seasons in the NBA with the Spurs, Hornets, Timberwolves and most recently the Wizards, underwent surgery last April to repair a hip injury. He wasn't cleared to play until the beginning of October, causing him to miss everyone's training camp. His road back took him through Frisco, Texas where he had a brief stay with the Texas Legends, a NBA Development League team affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Hawks traded Mo Williams, opening a roster spot at guard. Atlanta head coach Mike Budenholzer, who was a San Antonio assistant when Neal played three seasons for the Spurs, snapped Neal up from the Legends where the former high-scoring Tiger had played just three games.

Neal has played in 350 NBA games, averaging 21.4 minutes and 9.9 points. While with San Antonio he became just the second undrafted rookie in NBA history to be named All-Rookie First Team. He also rewrote the Spurs rookie record for 3-point field goal percentage (.419) and threes made (129). Prior to his NBA career Neal played overseas in Italy, Spain and Turkey where he averaged 23.6 points per game to lead the Turkish Basketball League.

Neal registered 1,254 points in less than two full seasons at Towson after transferring from La Salle where he netted 1,041 points that helped him earn Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors. He's one of only four players in college basketball history to score 1,000 points at two different Division I schools. In his senior year he became the first Towson player to be named All-Colonial Athletic Association first team.