Celtics Exercise Options on Jefferson, West, Green and Telfair
BOSTON - The Boston Celtics announced today they have exercised the team options on the contracts of forward Al Jefferson and guards Delonte West, Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair. The four players are now signed with the team through the 2007-08 season.
The first of three Celtics' first-round draft picks in 2004 (the 15th overall), Jefferson averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 59 games, including seven starts, last season. "Big Al" recorded five double-double games and posted his career-high of 21 points and 12 rebounds at Dallas on December 10, 2005. Jefferson averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 boards in 71 games in his rookie season.
West was also selected by the Celtics in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft (the 24th pick overall). In 2005-06, he averaged 11.8 points, 4.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 34.1 minutes in 71 games, starting every game. He also led all the point guards in the league in blocked shots, with 46. The former St. Joseph's standout dished out a career-high 12 assists at Philadelphia on April 7, 2006. He was selected to play in the 2006 Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Houston.
Gerald Green, the Celtics' top pick in the 2005 NBA Draft (the 18th pick overall), averaged 5.2 points and 11.7 minutes in 32 games, including starting three contests in 2005-06. The 6'8" leaper from Gulf Shores Academy in Houston, Texas, tallied a career-best 22 points at Indiana on April 12, 2006. He scored 19 points and handed out a career-high six assists in his first NBA start at New Jersey on April 16, 2006.
Telfair was originally selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 13th pick overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. During the 2005-06 season he averaged 9.5 points, 3.6 assists, one steal and 24.1 minutes in 68 games (30 starts) in his second NBA season. In his 30 starts he averaged 11.0 points, 4.2 assists and two rebounds. Telfair set a career high in overall scoring on January 31 vs. Orlando, racking up five three-pointers, with 21 total points, four rebounds and four assists. His career-high in points was produced in a match-up with New York, on November 20, 2005, with 27 points. This immediately followed his 20 point season high game vs. Golden State on November 18. During his rookie year, Telfair finished second among NBA rookies in assists, third in free throw percentage and 13th in scoring.
