The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has re-signed guard Kirk Hinrich (6-3, 190) to a multi-year extension. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Kirk Hinrich is imperative to the foundation of our organization and we are extremely pleased to have him with us long term. We are attempting to build a team based on character and commitment and these are both traits that Kirk possesses at a very high level. This is a very good day for the Chicago Bulls organization,” said Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson.

Hinrich, 25, is entering his fourth NBA season since the Bulls drafted him in the first round (seventh overall) of NBA Draft 2003. He has started 224 of his 234 regular season appearances and holds career averages of 14.6 ppg, 6.5 apg, 3.6 rpg and 1.35 spg in 36.2 mpg. He is a career .402 shooter from the field, including .371 from three-point range, and .805 from the free throw line. Since coming into the league in 2003-04, Hinrich ranks seventh in the entire NBA in total assists (1,525), is tied for 10th in assists per game average (6.5) and is tied for 19th in assists per turnover ratio (2.7).

Last season in Chicago, Hinrich averaged a career-high 15.9 ppg (second on the team), a team-high 6.3 apg (tied for 15th in NBA), 3.6 rpg and a team-high 1.16 spg in a career-high 36.5 mpg (also a team high). He also started all six playoff games for the Bulls and averaged 20.5 ppg, 7.7 apg (a team high), 3.3 rpg and 1.33 spg (a team high) in 39.0 mpg.

Hinrich has captained the Bulls and led the team to the NBA Playoffs in each of the last two seasons. He was again selected a team captain by his teammates for the 2006-07 season (along with P.J. Brown and Ben Wallace). He is also a member of the USA Basketball Senior National Team.

Tonight, Hinrich and the Bulls will tip-off the 2006-07 regular season at Miami at 7:00 P.M. CT in front of a nationally-televised audience on TNT. The game can also be heard in Chicago on the new flagship radio station of Chicago Bulls basketball, WCKG 105.9 FM.

Have a reaction? Post it on the Chicago Bulls forum.