The Venezuelan basketball player Greivis Vásquez has extended his contract with the New Orleans Hornets for one more year, according to an announcement today by the team.

According to the Hornets’ strategy coach, Monty Wilson, the extension will allow Vásquez, age 25, to concentrate on his game and consolidate his skills as a point guard.

Vásquez was traded to the Hornets by the Memphis Grizzlies on December 25, 2011. In the 17 regular season games he has played with the Hornets so far, Vásquez is averaging 5.6 points and 3.1 assists.

After learning of the renewal of his contract, Vásquez said he was happy and that he hoped to make that confidence apparent on the court.

The Venezuelan guard had his NBA debut with the Memphis Grizzlies on October 30, 2010, entering the game in just the last few minutes as the Grizzlies beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109 to 89.

Vásquez, who was a rising star in college basketball with the University of Maryland, was chosen as a first round draft pick. He is one of only three Venezuelans ever to play in the NBA. The other two are Carl Herrera, who was chosen thirtieth in the 1990 draft pick and played for the Houston Rockets during their championship seasons in 1993-1994 and 1994-1995, and Oscar Torres, who played with the Houston Rockets in 2001-2002 and the Golden State Warriors in 2002-2003.

Press Office – Embassy of Venezuela to the U.S. / January 26, 2011

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