Nov. 20, 2001

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri men's basketball program added the tallest player in MU history today, as they announced that 7-foot-2 center Giedrius Rinkevicius has signed a national letter of intent to attend Mizzou.

Rinkevicius, a native of Kaunas, Lithuania, was a member of the Lithuanian 19-and-under junior national team this past year. He is attending Bridgton Academy this season, a prep school located in North Bridgton, Maine, where he plays for Coach Whit Lesure.

"Giedrius is a quality young man with a tremendous upside to his game," said MU Head Coach Quin Snyder. "We see him as someone who can come to Missouri and develop into a complete player. He has good athleticism, and can run the floor well, and when he develops his strength, he can be quite a talent," said Snyder.

Tom Konchalski, a top east coast recruiting analyst, has seen Rinkevicius play, and has good things to say about the big man. "I was impressed when I saw him," he said. "Giedrius runs and catches extremely well, and he has nice hands and feet. He's a good passer, and has a solid feel for the game. His best basketball is ahead of him, and Missouri will be a great environment for him to learn the game. He's got to get stronger, but if he is patient and stays the course, I believe he's got the potential to play in the NBA one day," said Konchalsky.

At 7-foot-2, Rinkevicius will equal the tallest Tiger to ever wear the black and gold uniform, matching former player Tom Dore, a 7-foot-2 post who played for MU from 1979-80. He is the second prospect to sign during the Nov. 14-21 early period with Mizzou, joining Jimmy McKinney, a 6-foot-3 guard out of Vashon High School in St. Louis, Mo.