WASHINGTON -- The Washington Wizards signed free agent guard Bryon Russell to a two-year contract Tuesday.

	Russell

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Russell played the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, averaging 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. A starter on Utah's two Western Conference Championship teams in 1997 and 1998, Russell has played in 96 career playoff games.

"Bryon not only fills our need for an athletic small forward, but he also provides us with veteran experience that includes nine trips to the playoffs and two NBA Finals," Wizards general manager Wes Unseld. "In addition to helping us win games, we are also confident that he will help in the development of our younger players."

Russell was selected with the 45th overall pick in the 1993 draft out of Long Beach State. After being elevated to the starting lineup as a rookie, Russell saw his role with Jazz diminish over the next two seasons before enjoying a breakout season in 1996-97 when he started 81 games and averaged 10.8 points per game. Russell started all 50 games of the 1998 season and was second on the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game. He averaged a career-high 14.1 points per game in the 1999-2000 season.