The Tokyo Apache announced Monday the signing of veteran center Nick Davis, addressing a major weakness — lack of a major presence in the middle. Davis, a dominant force in the paint for the Niigata Albirex BB in each of the bj-league's two seasons, was not re-signed by the Albirex after last season. Davis averaged 18.3 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game in 2006-07, and was third in the league in rebound and second in blocked shots. Apache coach Joe Bryant had said repeatedly last season that the team needed to find a quality shot-blocker and rebounder. Davis, who turns 31 in September, fills both voids for the team. "(This signing) will really help us," team spokesman So Kamoshida said Monday. Davis, an all-league performer in both seasons, agreed to a one-year contract. In other news, the team signed power forward Trevon Bryant, a rookie out of California State University Dominguez Hills. Bryant, no relation to the coach, is 207 cm and weighs 102 kg. As a junior, he set a Toros record for blocked shots in a season (52) and was 15th in the nation in blocks per game among NCAA Division II players. He swatted 44 shots as a senior.
