Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill has exercised the one-year player option on his contract and will return to Phoenix for the 2010-11 season, the club announced today.  

?We?re thrilled that Grant has decided to exercise his option and return to the Suns next season,? said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.  ?He is a critical part of our success, both because of his skill as a player and also his leadership and professionalism that help guide our team.  Grant sums up what the Phoenix Suns are all about.?

The 6-8, 225-pound forward is coming off a 2009-10 regular season in which he averaged 11.3 points and 5.5 rebounds, his highest rebounding average since 2002-03 and his most total rebounds (445) in a single season since 1999-00.  In the playoffs, Hill averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds, second-most on the squad, in the Suns? run to the 2010 Western Conference Finals, the deepest postseason run of Hill?s career.

?The decision to stay in Phoenix was easy,? said Hill.  ?Our team?s success on the court last season was the result of the efforts of a great group of guys and I?m looking forward to building on that with them and being a part of this team next season.?