Cajasol extends Tariq Kirksay

Cajasol got closer to complete its roster for its upcoming debut next season by extending star forward Tariq Kirksay until the end of the 2011-12 season, the club announced Wednesday. Kirksay (199, 30) was the last player to arrive to Cajasol before the start of the 2009-10 but had a sudden impact, leading the club to reach the Spanish League playoffs for the first time since 2000. He averaged 7.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and an ACB-best 2.4 steals in 35 Spanish League games last season. Kirksay has also played for Unics in Russia, Sluc Nancy, Bourg-en-Bresse, Rueil-Malmaison and Besancon in France, Andino Sport Club La Rioja in Argentina, Bucaneros de Campeche in Mexico, Bravos de Portuguesa in Venezuela and Long Island in the USBL. He helped Unics to win the Russian Cup in 2009 and make it to the ULEB Cup semifinals in 2008. Kirksay also led Nancy to reach three consecutive French League finals from 2005 to 2007 and also played the Venezuelan title series with Portuguesa in 2001. Kirksay has also been a member of the French national team. Despite having just 35 games of Eurocup experience, Kirksay ranks seventh in all-time rebounds (312) and 12th in steals (79).