Celtics Sign Battie

October 15, 1999 / 8:52 PM EDT / CBS/AP

The Boston Celtics have signed forward Tony Battie to a multiyear contract extension.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 23-year-old Battie appeared in all 50 games last season with Boston, starting in 15. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Battie averaged 6.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

"Tony Battie is a gifted basketball player whose work ethic and desire to improve are tremendous," Celtics coach Rick Pitino said in a statement.

Battie was acquired Jan. 21 from the Los Angeles Lakers for center Travis Knight. He never played for the Lakers after being traded, along with guard Tyronn Lue, for Nick Van Exel on June 24, 1998.

Battie was drafted fifth overall by the Nuggets in 1997 after leaving Texas Tech following his junior season.