Centre Steven Adams has signed a multi-year contract extension with Oklahoma City Thunder, firmly locking him in as New Zealand's highest paid athlete.
The extension, thought to be worth $US100 million ($A131 million) over four seasons, was announced in tandem with another for guard Victor Oladipo.
"We are excited to extend our partnership with Steven and Victor," executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti said.
"Both players represent the Thunder's present and future, exhibiting the values that the Oklahoma community and our organisation hold in high regard: hard work, team first, resiliency and citizenship."
The statement on the OKC website did not mention terms of the deals, as per team policy.
However, US media have previously reported that the 23-year-old Adams was closing in on a $US100 million agreement, comfortably placing him as the highest paid sportsman in New Zealand.
At $A33 million annually that puts him well above the likes of sailor Russell Coutts ($A12 million) and West Ham soccer player Winston Reid ($A11 million)
In three and a bit seasons with the Thunder, Adams has made 234 appearances, averaging 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.00 block in 21.7 minutes.
During the Thunder's run to the 2016 Conference Finals, he recorded six double-doubles and averaged 10.1 points and 9.5 rebounds in 22 post-season games.
As a sign of his increasing influence, through three games so far this season, he is averaging 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in 34.9 minutes of action.
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