Despite downtown temperatures of 100 degrees, hundreds of Kings fans attended a rally at the corner of K and 13th streets in a team-organized celebration of Kevin Martin signing a five-year contract extension for $55 million.

The last time the Kings publicly honored one of their players during the offseason, it was the re-signing of Chris Webber in July of 2001.

First-year coach Reggie Theus, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and team co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof attended the rally, which was proceeded by a news conference to officially announce the signing at the Esquire Grill.

But the man of the hour was Martin, who said he is happy he'll enter the 2007-08 season knowing he's here to stay for a while.

"At the end of the day I wanted to get this done. I just know one team and that's all I want to know," Martin said. "I consider Sacramento my second Zanesville (Ohio, his hometown). I feel this community has shown me love and I feel the same way."

Martin, who had a breakout 2006-07 season in which he averaged a career and team high 20.2 points per game and was the runner up in the NBA Most Improved Player voting, will make $1.8 million in the upcoming season before his new contract begins in 2008-09.

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