DETROIT - Chris Webber is poised to sign a contract with the Detroit Pistons, his hometown NBA team said on Monday.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Chris Webber reacts to a call by official Dan Crawford (L) during second half NBA basketball action against the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Florida, December 9, 2006. [Reuters]

Webber was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers last week and will become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday.

The five-times All-Star watched the Pistons play Minnesota on Monday at The Palace of Auburn Hills and received a standing ovation from the crowd late in the first quarter.

"Joining the Pistons will allow me the opportunity to play the game I love in my hometown of Detroit surrounded by my family," Webber said in a statement.

The Sixers bought out the final 1 ? years of Webber's contract last Thursday, a deal that would have paid him $21 million this season and $22 million next year. He was a disappointment for the club after being acquired in a huge deal with Sacramento and has been injury prone.

Webber shone at Michigan and was the No. 1 overall pick in 1993 after an outstanding college career.

The 33-year-old missed 11 of his last 14 games with foot and ankle injuries, and was frustrated by his reduced role in Philadelphia. He has career averages of 21.4 points and 10 rebounds per game and was considered one of the league's premier players in his prime.