Denver, CO (Betting Express) - The Denver Nuggets have exercised the fourth- year option on star forward Carmelo Anthony, keeping him with the organization through the 2006-07 season.

Anthony was selected third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft and has helped the Nuggets to the playoffs in each of his two seasons. He started all 82 games his rookie year and 75 contests in 2004-05.

The native of New York has averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in his professional tenure.

Anthony led Syracuse to its first national championship as a true freshman in 2003. The forward averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds for Syracuse, then earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four.

He was a consensus choice as national Freshman of the Year and was a second- team All-America.