Suns Press Release - The Phoenix Suns today signed All-Star Amaré Stoudemire to a five-year contract extension, the maximum allowed by NBA rules. The contract extension will begin in the 2006-07 season. Per club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Amaré Stoudemire clearly represents the future of the NBA and now too, the future of the Phoenix Suns ,” Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. “This franchise and city are fortunate to have one of the league’s elite young players committed long term with a goal and determination of bringing a championship to Phoenix.”

The 22-year-old forward/center blossomed in his third NBA season in 2004-05, earning Second Team All-NBA honors and became the youngest player in franchise history to be named to the All-Star team. Stoudemire was the only player ranked in the NBA top 10 in points (26.0, 5th) and field goal percentage (.559, 2nd) last season as the Suns finished with an NBA-best and club record-tying 62 wins in the regular season. Fourteen of his top 15 career scoring efforts came in 2004-05, and he scored 40 or more points six times (plus three in the playoffs), including a career-high 50 points vs. Portland on Jan. 2.