The Phoenix Suns have exercised the fourth-year option on the contract of center Robin Lopez for the 2011-12 season, the team has announced.

Originally the Suns' first-round pick (15th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, the 7-0, 255-pound center blossomed in 2009-10 after being inserted into the Suns' starting lineup midway through the season.  Lopez, who became a starter on Jan. 18, helped lead the Suns to a 22-9 (.710) record in his starts while averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes as a starter.