Derek Fisher Signs with Oklahoma City Thunder

Jun 17, 2012; Miam, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Derek Fisher (37) shoots a three point shot against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in game three in the 2012 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City, OK – Former University of Arkansas at Little Rock player Derek Fisher signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday as the team’s third point guard.

Fisher played in 20 regular season games for the Thunder last year after playing in 43 games for the Los Angeles Lakers. Fisher was instrumental in helping the Thunder make the 2012 NBA Finals playing in all 20 post season games.

The Dallas Mavericks signed Fisher early in the 2012-2013 season using the 38-year-old guard for nine games before an injury sidelined him. Fisher asked and was granted a release by the Mavericks citing the need to be close to his family in Los Angeles during his rehab instead of collecting a paycheck with the Mavs as he recovered from his knee injury.

Fisher averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 assists in his nine games with the Mavs. His presence in the Thunder locker room was lauded last year by head coach Scott Brooks. Fish won five NBA Championships with the Lakers and brought a mature and stabilizing presence to the team through their playoff run in 2012.

As a 17-year NBA veteran, Fisher has logged 1,182 games in his professional career playing in all 82 games during the regular season eight times. He has career averages of 8.6 points per game and 3.1 assists.

At the University of Arkansas in Little Rock Fisher had a four-year collegiate career average of 12.4 points and 4.2 assists per game.