National Basketball Association

Pacers pick up option on Hibbert

Published Sep. 30, 2010 7:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Indiana Pacers have picked up the team option on center Roy Hibbert's contract, meaning the former first-round pick is signed through next season.

Hibbert, entering his third season with the Pacers, averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last year. Coach Jim O'Brien said earlier in the week that Hibbert had the best offseason he's ever seen.

Hibbert is considered a key to the team's rebuilding effort, along with Danny Granger and newly acquired point guard Darren Collison.