Deron Williams Press Conference Audio: 1 | 2 | 3

Jazz Sign Deron Williams to Extension

SALT LAKE CITY (July 17, 2008) –Utah Jazz General Manager, Kevin O’Connor, announced today that the team has signed a multi-year contract extension with point guard Deron Williams.  Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

“Continuing to lead the Jazz on the court is exactly what I want to do,” said Williams. “I am confident in the Miller family’s commitment to the franchise and appreciate their confidence in me.  We both want to bring a championship to Utah.”  Williams went on to say, “Jazz fans are the best in the NBA.  My wife Amy and I really enjoy living in Salt Lake and look forward to continue raising our daughters here.”

Williams, in just his third NBA season, earned his first career All-NBA Team selection after averaging 18.8 points, 10.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds while appearing in all 82 games.  He also shot .507 from the floor and posted 52 double-doubles.  He became just the third player in NBA history to have 1500+ points, 800+ assists and shoot .500 or better in a single season

“Deron is the cornerstone of what we have been building over the past three years and he is a significant part of our foundation for the future,” said O’Connor.

The 6-3, 208-pound point guard dished 212 assists in March, the most by any NBA player in any month since January 1992, and already ranks fourth on the Jazz’s all-time assists list.  He also won the 2008 NBA PlayStation Skills Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend.

“We have learned from experience how important a point guard is and we have just secured one of the premier point guards in the NBA,” said Jazz President Randy Rigby.  “It is critical to have a strong team leader in order to be a NBA Championship contender.”

Williams has led the Jazz to two consecutive Northwest Division titles.  In 29 postseason contests, the guard has averaged 20.3 points, 9.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Williams was also one of 12 players named to the 2008 USA Basketball Senior National Team that will compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.  In 2006-07, Williams averaged 16.2 points, 9.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds while finishing third in the NBA’s Most Improved Player balloting.

The third overall selection in the 2005 NBA Draft, Williams has career averages of 15.3 points, 8.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds while appearing in a total of 242 of a possible 246 career games.