Grizzlies confirm Gasol signs new four-year agreement

Marc Gasol of Spain watches FIBA EuroBasket 2011 classification for 4th to 8th place basketball game between Serbia and Greece in Kaunas September 16, 2011.

(Reuters) - The Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed Spanish center Marc Gasol, the team said Wednesday, after he helped them to their most successful season by reaching last season's conference semi-finals.

Gasol, who had used his Twitter page to say a tentative agreement had been reached Monday, agreed to a four-year contract for $57.7 million, according to local media reports.

"We are very happy to re-sign Marc Gasol, who has been one of the pillars of the Grizzlies franchise since his arrival," team general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement.

"We are excited to keep him as part of our core group of players and to build on what this organization has already achieved for many years to come."

Memphis beat the Western Conference top seed San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs last season before pushing the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the conference semi-finals.

The 26-year-old 7-foot-1 (2.16m) Gasol averages 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game after three seasons in the NBA, all with the Grizzlies.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)