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The Phoenix Suns have given Stephon Marbury a contract extension

The Phoenix Suns announced today that the club has signed All-Star guard Stephon Marbury to a multi-year contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

During the 2002-03 season Marbury sparked an incredible turnaround of the Suns organization including an improbable return to the NBA Playoffs.

Marbury was the only player ranked in the top 12 in the NBA in points and assists with 22.3 points (12th in NBA) and 8.1 assists (fourth in NBA). The two-time All-NBA Third Team selection in 2001 and 2003, accounted for 40.3% of Phoenix’s scoring offense during the season between points and assists, third-best in the NBA, and scored 10 or more points in the fourth quarter 17 times. He topped 40 or more points five times last season.

Marbury, a seven-year NBA veteran, was acquired in a blockbuster trade from New Jersey along with Soumaila Samake and Johnny Newman for Jason Kidd and Chris Dudley on July 18, 2001. In his two seasons with the Suns, he has averaged 21.3 points, 8.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds. The two-time All-Star (2001 and 2003) also became the first Suns player with back-to-back 20-point seasons since Charles Barkley (23.2 in 1995-96, 23.0 in 1994-95). The 27-year-old has missed only one game in two seasons in Phoenix (NBA suspension at Seattle, Oct. 30, 2002).

Along with Oscar Robertson, the 6-2 playmaker is the only player in NBA history with career averages of 20 points (20.5) and 8.0 assists and Robertson had 25.7 ppg and 9.5 apg.

At the age of 19, Marbury was selected by Milwaukee with the fourth overall pick in 1996 NBA Draft but was sent to Minnesota on draft day for Ray Allen. He was traded from Minnesota to New Jersey on March 11, 1999 in a three-team deal with Milwaukee that also sent Sam Cassell and Chris Gatling from Nets to Milwaukee and Terrell Brandon from Milwaukee to Minnesota.