The Phoenix Suns have exercised the team’s 2013-14 option on the contract of forward Markieff Morris.

Originally the 13th overall pick (first round) of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Suns, last season Morris had the best statistical campaign by a Sun since Amar’e Stoudemire in 2002-03. The 6-10, 245-pound Morris became just the seventh Sun in franchise history selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend. He averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.67 blocks and 0.65 steals in 19.5 minutes in 63 games (seven starts) last season, one of just six NBA rookies to average at least seven points and four boards a season ago.