honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:56 a.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2008

NBA: Kings re-sign point guard Udrih to 5-year deal

Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings re-signed point guard Beno Udrih today, keeping Mike Bibby's successor with a five-year deal.

Udrih joined the Kings last Nov. 1 after three years and two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs, who traded him to Minnesota. After the Timberwolves waived him the same day, Udrih signed with Sacramento to fill in for Bibby, who was out with a thumb injury.

Udrih, who had been a seldom-used backup in San Antonio, quickly showed he could start for Bibby, who was later traded to Atlanta. The Slovenian guard averaged 14.4 points and 5.0 assists in 51 starts for Sacramento despite missing 10 games with a back injury.

Udrih and Kevin Martin will return as the Kings' starting backcourt alongside forward Ron Artest, who decided not to opt out of the final year of his contract. Artest recently said he regretted his decision to play out his contract after talks for a long-term extension broke down, though he later apologized to the Kings.