Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has exercised the third-year options on forward Bismack Biyombo and guard Kemba Walker.

Biyombo was the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and his rights were acquired by the Bobcats from Sacramento in a three-team trade that also included Milwaukee. Biyombo appeared in 63 games with 41 starts as a rookie, averaging 5.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 23.1 minutes. He also led the team in rebounds and blocks last season. In seven preseason games this season, Biyombo has averaged 3.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

Walker was selected by the Bobcats with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.  He appeared in 66 games as a rookie, averaging 12.2 points, 4.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 27.2 minutes. He also recorded the third triple-double in Bobcats history with 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds on Jan. 28, 2012 against Washington. In six preseason games this season, Walker has averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals.