Rockets sign Francis to extension

HOUSTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The Houston Rockets will have their franchise player for at least a few more seasons as All-Star point guard Steve Francis agreed to a multi-year contract extension on Monday.

Francis averaged career highs of 21.6 points and 7.0 rebounds along with a team-leading 6.4 assists last season. He was on the injured list last year for the first time in three NBA seasons due to a foot injury and Houston went 1-14 without him.

"Steve is one of the league's most exciting players to watch and we are thrilled to announce that he will be with us for many years to come," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said. "We are in the process of building a championship-contending team and Steve will be a vital ingredient in that success."

The 6-3 Francis has averaged 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 214 career games. He was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 1999 draft and his rights were acquired by Houston in a three-team trade with the Orlando Magic.

In his first season, Francis averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 77 games and shared the Rookie of the Year award with Elton Brand. In 2000-01, Francis averaged 19.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists to become the 18th player in NBA history to lead his team in each of those category.

With an aging Hakeem Olajuwon, Francis did not have much help in the frontcourt in his first two seasons. But the Rockets selected 7-6 Chinese center Yao Ming with the first pick in the draft. Ming showed promise in an exhibition game against the United States national team last week as he recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots.