Cavaliers Exercise 4th-Year Option On J.J. Hickson

The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised the fourth-year contract option on forward J.J. Hickson, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Hickson's extension keeps him under contract with the Cavaliers through the 2011-12 season.  During the 2009-10 season, he more than doubled his scoring average from 4.0 points per game as a rookie to 8.5 points and increased his field goal percentage from .515 to .554 in 81 games played (73 starts). The 22-year old forward also averaged 4.9 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game.  In eight games (seven starts) this preseason, Hickson averaged 14.3 points on .475 shooting, a team-leading 8.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 block in 24.5 minutes per game.

The 6-foot-9 forward was selected with the 19^th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft by Cleveland. He played one season at North Carolina State, earning ACC All-Freshmen Team honors after averaging 14.8 points on a conference-best .591 shooting and 8.5 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game in 31 games.