West signs contract extension with Hornets

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The New Orleans Hornets signed David West to a multi-year contract extension. <br/><br/>This allows the team to keep its leading scorer from becoming a restricted free agent at the

Tuesday, October 31st 2006, 5:44 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The New Orleans Hornets signed David West to a multi-year contract extension.

This allows the team to keep its leading scorer from becoming a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

West finished second in voting for the NBA's most improved player last season after averaging 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds to lead the Hornets in both categories.

West's point total nearly tripled from the previous season, when he missed 51 games with a right knee injury.

The AP college player of the year with Xavier in 2003, West was the # 18 overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Hornets and played mostly as a reserve in his first two seasons.