CZECH REPUBLIC - Former University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball standout Brian Egwuatu recently signed his second professional basketball contract with TJ Svitavy of the Czech Republic NBL.

Egwuatu played with Kereven de Energia in Finland during the 2009-10 season.

"We are very happy to see the continuation of Brian's career," noted USC Aiken head men's basketball coach Vince Alexander. "He represented USC Aiken men's basketball very well, and I know he will continue to do the same for every organization that he plays basketball for in the future."

Egwuatu is one of two Americans to sign with Svitavy in the last week as former North Dakota star Travis Bledsoe also agreed to terms just prior to the start of the upcoming season, which begins on Oct 13 in Pardubice.

During his first season with the Pacers in 2007-08, Egwuatu averaged just over a block a game and 4.0 points per game. His 1.15 blocks per game average placed him in the top seven in the PBC in the category.

In his final season as a Pacer in 2008-09, Egwuatu finished second on the squad with 52 blocks. His 52 blocks were just one shy of teammate Chris Commons' (Toledo, Ohio/Findlay) 53. The block numbers left both of them in the top 10 in the PBC in total blocks and blocks per game.

Egwuatu's 82 blocks as a Pacer leave him fourth all-time in school history.

In total, the Texas Southern transfer averaged 4.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 33 games for USC Aiken in the 2008-09 season. Egwuatu started 22 of the 33 games in which he appeared.

The 6-foot-7, Houston, Texas native brought down a career-best 15 rebounds in USC Aiken's home win over Clayton State during the 2008-09 season at the Convocation Center. He scored a career-high 20 points in USC Aiken's domination of Allen at the Convocation Center on Dec. 13, 2008.

**Pictured (left-to-right) is Egwuatu, Svitavy head coach Svojanovsky Jindrich and Bledsoe.