PORTLAND, Ore. � Portland Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard called Brandon Roy a pillar of the franchise at a press conference Friday during which he formally announced Roy�s multiyear contract extension.

Pritchard said it was �an amazing day� and that he looked forward to Roy�s future with the team.
He recalled going out to watch Roy in a workout before he was first signed to the team.
�I remember driving back from that workout thinking this is our guy, and he�s going to be a pillar of our franchise,� he said. �Brandon is a leader. He�s a guy who cares about his teammates.�
The Trail Blazers have declined to release contract terms, but Roy�s agent said it�s a five-year deal which could be worth more than $80 million. The fifth year, ending in 2015, the agent said, is at Roy�s option.
The two-time All-Star, who grew up in Seattle, said he never had any reservations about signing for the long-haul with team, despite free agency and the salary cap.
�From my first year in this organization, I knew where I wanted to be,� he said. �I couldn�t imagine being anywhere but here in Portland.�
The 25-year-old Roy led the Trail Blazers with 22.6 points and 5.1 assists per game last season. He�s been instrumental in helping the team win back a fan base that had been alienated by the so-called Jail Blazers of the past.
Contract negotiations took longer than Roy had hoped, he said. It was frustrating, but it �is something that�s part of the business.�
When his agent called to tell him the deal had finally been completed, �I just had this huge smile on my face � of relief,� he said.
Now, he says he�s �chomping at the bits� to get the new season started.
�Being the best team at the end of the season is my ultimate goal,� Roy said. �I�m chasing the championship.�
The Trail Blazers are still working on an extension with the team�s second-leading scorer, forward LaMarcus Aldridge. Roy said he hopes a deal gets done soon.