Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards has agreed on a three-year, $15 million contract extension, his agents Javon Phillips and Jared Mucha of Excel Basketball told ESPN on Wednesday night.

Richards, a player development revelation under Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, was extension eligible until June 30 and now avoids going into restricted free agency this summer. He's averaged career highs of 7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 18 minutes a game.

Richards, 25, has averaged 9.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in the past five games for Charlotte. He was the 42nd overall pick out of Kentucky in the 2020 NBA draft.