Jan. 11, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina men’s tennis head coach Josh Goffi announced today the addition of Thiago Pinheiro to his roster for Spring 2012. The Brazilian will have four years of eligibility beginning immediately.

“We are very fortunate to have Thiago join our team,” Goffi said. “He is a great kid who is willing to do whatever it takes to push this team to be successful. He is an ideal recruit in that his dedication to his game and his maturity as a person are far beyond most 18-year-olds.”

Pinheiro competed in eight tournaments throughout South America prior to joining the Gamecocks. He reached the round of 16 in the Uruguay Bowl and Costa Rica’s Coffee Bowl in early 2011. Pinheiro participated in the 2010 South American Games and was a semifinalist at the 2009 Copa Nissan event in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Pinheiro joins a Gamecock roster that includes four other freshmen. South Carolina opens its spring season this weekend at the SEC Indoor Championships. Play begins on Fri., Jan. 13, in Lexington, Ky.