When USC coach Frank Martin signed center Laimonas Chatkevicius of Lithuania on Friday, he landed the Gamecocks' first true seven foot center in decades. Though previously listed at 6-10, Chatkevicius' coach at South Kent Prep in Connecticut said Friday night he's seven feet tall and weighs 245 pounds. And Kelvin Jefferson said Chatkevicius is a legitimate post player. "He's a very skilled player with great hands and great skills with his back to the basket," Jefferson said. "He can catch it and score a lot of ways. He has the ability to step out and has a nice touch from the perimeter. He's a good defender, not a great shot blocker, but he doest alter a lot of shots with his size. He will definitely be able to help those guys." Chatkevicius originally was ticketed for Kansas State having signed with Martin in November. But he got a release from there earlier this week, visited USC and signed Friday. Last season he averaged around 14 points and 8 rebounds per game and shot 60% from the floor.
Link: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20120420/PSPORTS02/120429945/-1/PSPORTS
Link: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20120420/PSPORTS02/120429945/-1/PSPORTS
