Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent Anderson Varejao. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

In accordance with the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Varejao’s former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer.

“Anderson has established himself as a very good young player in this league,” said Higgins. “We look forward to the opportunity to add him to the core of our franchise as we continue to grow and improve.”

Varejao, who spent the past three seasons with the Cavaliers, averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game last season, setting career highs in virtually every statistical category, including games played (81), minutes (1,932), field goals made (191) and attempted (401), free throws made (165) and attempted (268), offensive rebounds (191), defensive rebounds (354), total rebounds (545), assists (75), steals (76), blocks (52) and points (547). He scored in double figures 20 times and had 10 or more rebounds 18 times en route to seven double-doubles. Varejao led the Cavaliers in rebounds 25 times, in steals 18 times and in blocks 19 times.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to add a player of Anderson’s caliber to our team,” said Bobcats Head Coach Sam Vincent. “We feel like he’s a guy who can come in and give us some immediate help in the post.”

Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Varejao spent three seasons in Spain playing for F.C. Barcelona. A member of the Brazilian National Team, he was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in the second round (30th overall pick) of the 2004 NBA Draft, before being traded to Cleveland prior to his rookie season.

The Charlotte Bobcats return to action on Wednesday, December 5, when they host the Chicago Bulls at 7:00pm ET, with coverage on News 14 Carolina and WNMX-FM. The Bobcats last season posted the all-time best expansion team record in recent NBA expansion history, going 33-49. The Orlando Magic posted a 31-51 record during their second season (1990-91), and no expansion team won more than 26 games in their third season until the Bobcats surpassed that mark on March 28 against Atlanta for their 27th win.

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