National Basketball Association

Suns extend Gentry's deal through 2013

Published Sep. 23, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Phoenix Suns have extended coach Alvin Gentry's contract through the 2012-13 season.

The move essentially is a one-year extension because three months ago the Suns excersized an option on his previous deal that ran through the 2011-12 season.

In a news release, Suns president Lon Babby said Gentry ''proved his mettle as the perfect coach for the Suns last season.''

Last year, in his first full season as coach, Gentry directed the Suns to a surprising third-best record in the Western Conference. Phoenix advanced to the conference finals before losing to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.