Biyombo signs with Bobcats

Bismack Biyombo, a teen forward from the Democratic Republic of Congo, signed with the NBA Charlotte Bobcats on Monday after buying out his contract with Spain's Fuenlabrada. The Bobcats said Biyombo had signed a rookie contract and that they would pay half of the $1.5 million buyout fee that Biyombo was required to pay the Spanish side so he could play in the NBA this season. The 19-year-old African uses the buyout clause to erase the remaining two years on his contract to join Charlotte ahead of Sunday's start of the NBA season. "Thank God it's over and I'm gonna play finally," Biyombo posted on his Twitter account. "Thanks to every one who help me in this process wasn't easy for no one." Bobcats coach Paul Silas said Biyombo would join the team on Tuesday, skipping the team's pre-season opener on Monday because he had not practiced with the club. He could play on Thursday in a pre-season game at Atlanta. "This is great for him as well as the team," Silas said. Biyombo, selected seventh in June's NBA Draft, sought to avoid paying the buyout fee but a Spanish court dismissed his lawsuit last week. "He's a really good defender and rebounder and a shot blocker," Silas said. "He has to work on his offensive game, which he's willing to do. We have to work on the shot from outside. But the energy he brings is what we really need."