CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – The Charlotte Bobcats have signed Emeka Okafor, getting the No. 2 overall pick under contract before he leaves for Greece to play for the U.S. Olympic team.

Okafor signed the three-year deal worth about $10 million on Monday.

“We are happy to have Emeka signed to a contract and ready to play basketball,” coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff said. “He is a fine young man and we are proud to have him represent our franchise and our country, both on and off the court.”

Okafor, a 6-foot-10 center, is currently with the Olympic team and will head to Athens next month.

After leading Connecticut to the national title as a junior, Okafor made himself available in the NBA draft. The Bobcats, who originally had the No. 4 overall pick, traded with the Los Angeles Clippers to move up two spots and select him.

AP-ES-07-27-04 1009EDT