Raptors Exercise Third Year Option On Andrea Bargnani

(October 5, 2007) - In his hometown of Rome the Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have exercised the third year team option on the Rookie Scale Contract of forward Andrea Bargnani.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the office of Walter Veltroni, the Mayor of Rome. The Raptors are in Rome to face the Boston Celtics and Virtus Lottomatica Roma as part of NBA Europe Live. 2007. "

Andrea has more than lived up to the enormous expectations thrust on him last season as the top pick of the draft," said Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

Exercising the option while in Andrea's hometown of Rome could not be more fitting."

The Rome native is now guaranteed through the 2008-09 season. The team retains a fourth year option for the 2009-10 season. In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, the Raptors had until October 31 to exercise their option on Bargnani. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal was not disclosed.

Bargnani became the first Italian born player selected with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft when he was selected by the Raptors on June 28, 2006. During his first season in the NBA, Bargnani averaged 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 65 games. He also appeared in six playoff games last season, averaging 11.0 points and shooting 7-for-11 (.400) from three-point range. He was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team and captured T-Mobile Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honours in January and February.

source : NBA.com