TORONTO (AFP) - Toronto Raptors center Rasho Nesterovic, a seven-foot Slovenian, exercised his option Friday to renew his contract with the Canadian side for the 2008-2009 National Basketball Association season.

Nesterovic, a 10-year NBA veteran, played in 71 games this season, starting 39 of them, while averaging 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds.

A member of the San Antonio Spurs' 2005 NBA championship squad, 31-year-old Nesterovic has career averages of 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 699 NBA games with Minnesota, San Antonio and the Raptors.

The Raptors were eliminated by the Orlando Magic in the opening round of this year's NBA playoffs. The Magic captured the best-of-seven series four games to one.

Info Resource

Brewers close in on deal for Indians ace Sabathia (AP)

Gardner's RBI in 10th lifts Yankees past Red Sox (AP)

Teixeira's RBI single in 17th lifts Braves to win (AP)

Ronaldo likely staying at Manchester - Real Madrid boss (AFP)

Wild sign Owen Nolan to 2-year, $5.5 million deal (AP)

Wimbledon is my greatest ever triumph, says Rafa (AFP)

Seon Hwa Lee wins NW Arkansas Championship (AP)

Sparks top Mercury, 91-80 (AP)

Venus beats Serena for 5th Wimbledon singles title (AP)

Tyson Gay tumbles at Olympic trials, out of 200 (AP)

Los Angeles, CA

Zip (US only):

Wed:

41/63ºF Sunny

Thu:

42/63ºF Mostly Sunny