Milwaukee, WI (Betting Express) - The Milwaukee Bucks announced Friday that they have exercised the fourth-year option on guard T.J. Ford's contract, which will keep him with the Bucks until at least 2007. As per team policy, financial terms were not released.

"T.J. is a dynamic player and a key to our success going forward," said general manager Larry Harris. "He has worked tirelessly to get himself back on the court and demonstrated in the preseason that hes ready to help lead our team."

Ford, 22, has played in 55 career games, all coming during his rookie year in 2003-04, averaging 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. He missed all of last season, though, with a spinal cord injury.

He bruised his spinal cord in a horrific basketball accident during a game against Minnesota on February 24, 2004, and had cervical spine surgery nearly three months later.

The Texas product was the eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft.