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The Atlanta Hawks today signed free agent center Zaza Pachulia (pronounced Za-Za Pa-CHUL-e-ya) to a contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Hawks originally submitted an offer sheet on Pachulia to the Milwaukee Bucks on August 3, and the Bucks elected not to match the offer.

“Zaza is a young player who gives us size in the middle, and shows surprising toughness for his age," said Knight. "He has filled an important role off the bench during his brief NBA career and we feel he will continue to show tremendous progress in the future."

A two-year NBA veteran, the 6-11, 240-pound Pachulia averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg in 18.9 mpg last season (.452 FG%, .644 FT%), appearing in 74 contests for Milwaukee. He spent his rookie campaign (2003-04) with Orlando, averaging 3.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg in 11.3 mpg (59 games).

He was originally picked in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Magic. Following his season in Orlando, he was selected by Charlotte in the 2004 Expansion Draft, then acquired by the Bucks for a 2004 second-round draft choice.

The 21-year-old native of the Republic of Georgia played parts of four seasons for Ulker (Istanbul, Turkey) from 1999-2003, helping the club capture the 2001 and 2002 Turkish President’s Cup, as well as the 2001 Turkish National Championship.

Zaur Pachulia (has legally changed his first name to Zaza) was born February 10, 1984 in Tbilisi, Georgia. He will wear uniform no. 27.