Lakers sign guard Karl

The Lakers’ backcourt just got a little more crowded.

The team announced Monday it has signed un-drafted free-agent point guard Coby Karl. Details of the contract were not disclosed.

Karl, 24, averaged 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senior at Boise State in 2006-07 and was a Western Athletic Conference first-team selection. After the 6-foot-4 guard was not selected in the NBA draft in June, Karl played for the Lakers’ Las Vegas summer-league team and averaged 12.2 points in five games.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Karl showed the potential to be a “system player, a guy that would fit into a disciplined offense.”

Still, the contract does not guarantee Karl a spot on the roster, which includes eight guards.

“There are a lot of guys in the backcourt, and just to make the team he’s going to have to beat somebody out,” Kupchak said.

Karl, the son of Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl, has twice battled thyroid cancer. He had his thyroid removed in 2006 and lymph nodes removed earlier this year.

-- Ken Fowler

The Memphis Grizzlies signed first-round draft pick Mike Conley.

The fourth overall selection in the 2007 draft, Conley averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 assists and a team-high 39.8 minutes in five games with the Grizzlies in summer-league games in Las Vegas.

The former Ohio State guard, who played one season for the Buckeyes, was chosen a Big Ten Conference all-tournament team selection as a freshman.

The Indianapolis native started all 39 games for the Buckeyes, finishing third on the team with 11.3 points a game, and first with 6.1 assists and 2.2 steals a game.

Conley teamed with Greg Oden, the No. 1 pick in the draft, to lead the Buckeyes to the NCAA title game, where they lost to Florida.