Nets sign Jefferson to multi-year contract extension

East Rutherford, NJ (Basketball News) - The New Jersey Nets Friday signed forward Richard Jefferson to a multi-year contract extension. As per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Jefferson is currently playing for Team USA, which will begin Olympic play in Athens on Sunday against Puerto Rico.

The 24-year-old Jefferson started all 82 regular-season games last season for the Nets and averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest.

"Richard’s work ethic over the past three years has produced a significant development in his basketball performance," said CEO Rod Thorn. "The Nets management feels very strongly that Richard will continue this upward progression and be a cornerstone of this franchise, and we are very pleased that he will continue his basketball career past his current contract with the New Jersey Nets."

The Arizona product was selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 2001 draft by the Rockets. New Jersey then acquired Jefferson’s draft rights from Houston along with the draft rights to Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong in exchange for the draft rights to Eddie Griffin.

Jefferson has averaged 14.5 points, 5.3 boards and 2.7 assists over 241 career NBA games.