Nov. 14, 2002
NORFOLK, VA. -- Old Dominion University head basketball coach BlaineTaylor announced the signing of 6-7, 215-pound forward Valdas Vasylius from Norfolk Collegiate High School. Vasylius, is from Klaipeda, Lithuania.
"Valdus is a very pleasing piece of the puzzle that we are putting together," saidTaylor. "We identified quite early that he offered the best fit of the talent pool in ourregion. In evaluating what we graduate and what we have returning, he is just what thedoctor ordered."
Vasylius averaged 19.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game as a junior for Collegiatecoach Jim Markey. He earned first team honors in the Tidewater Conference of IndependentSchools and honorable mention All-State honors. Vasylius was selected to the All-Tournamentsquad in the Oscar Smith Christmas Tournament. He scored 37 points and hauled in 22rebounds in Collegiates 101-95 victory over Independent State runner-up Benedictine.
"We feel Valdus' preparation for our setting will be enhanced by the fact hewill have good academic preparation from Norfolk Collegiate and the program that JimMarkey has built will help prepare his basketball growth," said Taylor. "The bottom line,we feel Valdus is the kind of player and person that will help us build a proud program."
"In general this gives us half a dozen signings in the last 18-months," adds Taylor."We feel good about the nucleus we have assembled. As always we have a number of irons inthe fire. We have been cautious and selective with the pieces we are putting together with this group."
Since coming to ODU in the Spring of 2001, Taylor and his staff have signed the following:
John Morris6-1GCamp Hill, PA. (Spring 2002)Isaiah Hunter, 6-2 GCharlotte, NC. (Fall 2001)Kiah Thomas6-4 F-GNorfolk, Va. (Summer 2001)Alex Loughton6-9FPerth, Australia (Spring 2002)Janko Mrksic6-10COntario, Canada (Fall 2001)