MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - The Memphis Grizzlies held on to two of their top young players Sunday, exercising the fourth-year options on the contracts of former Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol and swingman Shane Battier. Gasol averaged 19.0 points last season while ranking ninth in the NBA in field-goal percentage (.510), 12th with 8.8 rebounds and 14th with 1.8 blocks per game. The 23-year-old Spaniard has not missed a game in his two-year career. "This organization has shown from the beginning that they believe in me, and I am looking forward to being a part of an organization dedicated to winning," Gasol said. Like Gasol, Battier was a member of the NBA's All-Rookie First Team in 2002. He slumped last season with averages of 9.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 78 games. "We're excited about how Pau and Shane have developed during their last two seasons in the NBA and we're hopeful they will to continue to play well for us, which will greatly enhance our team in the future," president of basketball operations Jerry West said. "Both players had great summers preparing for this season, and we're pleased about having them on our squad."
