New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks a shot of Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap (4) in a NBA preseason basketball game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Atlanta Hawks in Biloxi, Miss. Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (The Associated Press)
METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Pelicans have exercised third-year options on the contracts of 2012 first-round draft choices Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers.
Davis, the first overall pick in the 2012 draft, averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals and was named an NBA All-Rookie First Team member last season.
The 6-foot-10 former Kentucky star was a regular starter at power forward. His 20 double-doubles led all rookies.
Rivers was the 10th overall pick in the draft. He averaged 6.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds, but saw his rookie campaign cut short by a hand injury in early March, during a game in which he'd scored 10 first-half points against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pelicans announced the moves, which were expected, on Wednesday.
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