Sixers Notes: Sixers give point guard a 10-day audition

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Casper Ware hopes to bring some defensive intensity to the 76ers.

"I'm going to be like a hassle," said the 5-foot-10 point guard, who signed a 10-day contract on Monday. "I'm going to be like a pest on defense. So I can provide that for the team."

The former Long Beach State standout left his former team, Virtus Bologna of the Italian League, for this NBA opportunity. His signing came after the Sixers parted ways with Darius Johnson-Odom, whose 10-day deal expired Sunday.

"I couldn't pass this up," Ware said.

The 24-year-old averaged 11.7 points and 2.2 assists this season at Bologna. He was an honorable-mention all-American in his final season at Long Beach State in 2011-12. He finished as the school's all-time assists leader.

After going undrafted, Ware played for Detroit in the 2012 Orlando Pro Summer League.

"He can score [and] has a toughness, a true point guard," said Sixers coach Brett Brown, whose squad has used 22 players this season.

"He is just another player that we can give another opportunity to," Brown added, "and further identify what he can bring to the table."

Johnson-Odom played in three games with the Sixers, failing to score a point.

Called up from the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League, Johnson-Odom missed all five of his shots in 10 minutes, 23 seconds of action against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 13.

He played 20 seconds against the New York Knicks on Friday. He missed both of his shots and had a turnover in 4:35 against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.