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Memphis extends Miller's contract for an additional six years

Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today the club has come to terms on a six-year contract extension with forward Mike Miller. With this agreement, Miller has committed to play with the Grizzlies through the 2009-10 season. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

“I am really excited about being a part of the Grizzlies, and I want to thank Mr. (Michael E.) Heisley, Jerry West and the entire organization for this great opportunity,” said Miller. “This team is serious about winning, and I want to be a part of the big things that’s going to happen in Memphis.”

The Grizzlies acquired Miller last season in a Feb. 19 trade with the Orlando Magic, and he delivered an immediate impact. Miller led the Grizzlies with 23 points in his debut on Feb. 21 at the New Orleans Hornets, and he scored in double figures in seven straight games from Mar. 19-30, averaging 16.3 ppg in that stretch. Miller led in scoring three times, including a season-high 29 points as a Grizzlie in only 26 minutes on Mar. 30 against the Los Angeles Clippers. He missed three games with back spasms in March and was placed on the injured list for the final five games of the season due to a back sprain. In 16 games with the Grizzlies, he averaged 12.8 points and 3.4 rebounds. Miller finished the season with 15.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 65 total games played with both teams.

“Of course, we are thrilled to reach an agreement with Mike (Miller). He has the potential to be an All-Star caliber player under the leadership of Hubie Brown,” said West. “We expect him to take the next steps of what should be a very successful and long NBA career and help us develop a high quality team for Grizzlies fans to enjoy for years to come.”

In three years as a pro, Miller has established himself among the NBA’s rising elite players. Miller, 23, was named the 2001 Schick NBA Rookie of the Year and was the lone unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. After being selected fifth overall in the 2000 NBA Draft, he appeared in all 82 games for Orlando, making 62 starts and averaged 11.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 1.7 apg in 29.1 mpg during the 2000-01 season. In his second year as a pro, Miller improved his to averaging 15.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 3.1 apg in 33.7 mpg. He scored a career-high 32 points on Nov. 24 vs. the Charlotte Hornets and scored 20-plus points 13 times. He also earned a reputation as a long range shooter, averaging 38.3 percent from beyond the three-point arc (second on the Magic and 37th in the NBA) during the ’01-02 season.