Pitt Basketball Signs 6'9 Transfer Forward
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - In need of an infusion of talent for next year's team, the Pitt basketball program has announced the signing of graduate transfer Rafael Maia.
The 6-foot-9-inch, 245-pound forward out of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Maine Central Institute completed his junior year at Brown and will be eligible immediately given that he's graduating this May. Brown has one more year of eligibility remaining.
Maia averaged 9.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while leading the Ivy league in both rebounding and field goal percentage last year.
"We are extremely excited about bringing in Rafael for the 2015-16 season," Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said in a press release. "Over his three years at Brown, he has proven to be the Ivy League's top rebounder, effective offensive rebounder and consistent scorer. His size and length will also help us defensively at both low post positions."
Maia joins Coppin State graduate transer Sterling Smith, center Rozelle Nix and guard Damon Wilson Jr. as part of Pitt's incoming 2015-16 class.