The Memphis Grizzlies today announced that President of Basketball Operations Jerry West has signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the organization through 2008.  

West first joined the Grizzlies as president of basketball operations on April 30, 2002, returning to basketball after a retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, where he served as a player, coach and an executive for 19 years.  

?I am very proud of what we have done here in such a short time,? said West.  ?I am thrilled to be able to stay on, and continue to build a winning franchise for Memphis.   The support this city and our fans have shown the Grizzlies made my decision to stay in Memphis an easy one.  Memphis deserves a championship team, and I am committed to that goal.?  

Under West?s guidance, the Grizzlies have retooled their roster leading to two playoff appearances, while re-writing the franchise?s record books.  During the 2003-04 season, the Grizzlies went from being a 28-win team to winning a franchise record 50 games, and earning the first playoff berth in franchise history. The story-book season earned West the NBA?s Executive of the Year award, garnering the award for the second time in his career.

?What Jerry has done is more than build a winning team, he has built a franchise for Memphis,? said team majority owner Michael Heisley.  ?This franchise embodies winning, character and determination. With Jerry at the helm, the city and the organization can together expect a winning future, both on and off the court.?