PORTLAND, Ore. -- Center Vladimir Stepania has exercised his
option to remain with the Portland Trail Blazers through next
season, the team said.
Stepania averaged 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 42 games with
Portland this past season before he was placed on the disabled list
on Feb. 9 with soreness in his left knee.
The Blazers signed Stepania as a free agent on Oct. 22.
The 7-foot-1 center was a first-round draft pick, 27th overall,
by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1998 draft. He also has played
for the New Jersey Nets and the Miami Heat.