Dec. 9, 2005

USC Head Basketball Coach Dave Odom announced the signing of five players today. The 2006 class includes Evaldas Baniulis (Lithuania via Melbourne, FL), Mitchell Carter (Milwaukee, WI), Chad Gray (Little Mountain, SC), Brandis Raley (Gastonia, NC) and Austin Steed, Jr. (Hephzibah, GA).

Gamecocks’ Early Signing Roster (Nov., 2005) (See bios below):

Name P Height Weight Hometown/Last School

Evaldas Baniulis F 6′ 7 200 Lithuania/Florida Air Academy

Mitchell Carter C 6′ 11 250 Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King HS

Chad Gray F 6′ 7 200 Little Mtn., SC/Florida Prep

Brandis Raley G 6′ 2 180 Gastonia, NC/Gaston Day School

Austin Steed, Jr. F 6′ 7 210 Hepzibah, GA/Butler HS

“I am very pleased with each of our five signees,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “As a group they address what I believe the needs of next year’s team will be. They promise to be an excellent class and I look forward to working each one throughout their four years here at Carolina.”

2006 Gamecock Men’s Basketball Signees

(Nov., 2005 Early Signing Period)

EVALDAS BANIULIS

F, 6-7, 200, LITHUANIA (FLORIDA AIR ACADEMY, MELBOURNE, FL)

Named preseason all-state (first team) in Class 3A … He averaged 17 ppg as a junior … In a regional tournament game last season, Baniulis hit 9 threes and finished with 45 points … Coached by Aubin Goporo at FAA, the Florida Air Academy completed another regular season undefeated, winning the state title. They recorded their third undefeated regular season in five years and again were ranked #1 in class 3A. The Falcons led the county in team offense and defense … Baniulis was second in the county with 71 three pointers … Will major in International Business … Chose USC over Kansas, Marquette, West Virginia.

MITCHELL CARTER

C, 6′ 11, 250, MILWUAKEE, WI (RUFUS KING HS)

He averaged 10 ppg and 11 rpg as a junior at Rufus King HS – considered one of the best programs in the state … Coached by Jim Gosz who led the team to state titles in 2003 and 2004 (four in the last 15 years) … Rated a three-star player by Rivals.com … Will major in Business … Team will play in the Beach Ball Classic … Chose USC over Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette and Notre Dame.

CHAD GRAY

G, 6’7, 200, LITTLE MTN., SC (FLORIDA PREP, LAKE SUZY, FL)

He averaged 15 ppg as a junior … Will major in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management … Attends Florida Prep in Lake Suzy, Fla.

BRANDIS RALEY

G, 6’2, 180, GASTONIA, NC (GASTON DAY SCHOOL)

He averaged 22 ppg as a junior … Raley set a Gaston County single-season scoring record with more than 900 points last season … His team is picked as one of the favorites to make the 1A title game in NC this season by the Charlotte Observer and he is one of the top five boys to watch in that class … Played for the Charlotte Royals … Will major in Sports Management … Rated on Rivals.com as the 144 in their top 150 and No. 28 amongst point guards nationally … Chose USC over Notre Dame, Wake Forest and East Carolina.

WHY RALEY CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA:

“They said the opportunity to play will be there. I really liked them because of my relationship with the coaching staff and it’s close to home.”

AUSTIN STEED, JR.

F, 6′ 8, 195, HEPHZIBAH, GA (BUTLER, HS in Augusta)

He averaged 12 ppg, 6 rpg and 5 apg as a junior … As a sophomore he averaged 10 ppg, 5 rpg and 2 apg … Coached by Rob Johnson … Was team MVP his sophomore year … Plays AAU ball with the Hoopsters out of Columbia (coached by Zach Norris) … Parents are Marilyn and Donnie Shavers … Will major in Business Management … Chose USC over Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

WHY STEED CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA:

“The reason I chose South Carolina was because it’s a great place to continue my basketball career. USC’s educational background is good and it’s a good place a business management degree. I see USC as a good home for me to continue my career as a student-athlete.”