Kirilenko signs six-year extension with Jazz

Salt Lake City, UT (Basketball News) - Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko signed a six-year, $86 million contract extension with the team Friday. The deal, which culminated three months of negotiations, will kick in next season.

Kirilenko, 23, is the longest tenured player on the Jazz. Last season the 6- foot-9 Russian led them in points (16.2), rebounds (8.1), blocked shots (2.76) and steals (1.92).

"Andrei is not only our longest tenured player; he brings toughness and leadership to the team," said Jazz President Dennis Haslam. "We are extremely fortunate to have signed this extension."

In three seasons with Utah, Kirilenko has averaged 13 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and two assists per game.

"We have a young, potentially great team — and a legendary coach (in Jerry Sloan)," Kirilenko said. "We have a great organization and it’s a great confidence to build a team that can dominate the next few years in the league."