NEW: URI Announces Hoop Signings

NEW: URI Announces Hoop Signings

URI men’s basketball coach Danny Hurley announced the signings of two more scholarship players for his squad today, including a Rutgers transfer from St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J., where he coached before moving on to Wagner College.

 As originally reported on GoLocalProv, Gilvydas Biruta, a 6-9, 245-pound forward from Jonava, Lithuania, will be transferring from Rutgers to give the Rams some size up front and Big East experience. He averaged 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Scarlet Knights this past season while starting in all 32 games. He will sit out the 2012-13 season as a transfer, than have two years of eligibility remaining.

Two years ago, Biruta made the All-Big East Rookie team while averaging 9.6 points and five rebounds. He played two seasons for Hurley at St. Benedict’s.
 Also, Jordan Hare, a 6-10, 205-pound forward from Saginaw, Mich., signed his National Letter of Intent to attend URI. The Arthur Hill High School senior averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks while twice winning AP All-Michigan honors.

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Recruting website Rivals.com ranked him the 30th best power forward and 120th best player in the Class of 2012.

Hurley said the two big men will offer size, athleticism and versatility to the Ram rebuilding effort.