Neptunas Klaipeda signs rookie Gilvydas Biruta

Neptunas Klaipeda bolstered its frontcourt by inking power forward Gilvydas Biruta, the club announced Wednesday. Biruta (2.03 meters, 23 years old) will start his professional basketball career with Neptunas, as he arrives from Rhode Island University. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 33 NCAA games last season. Biruta played for Rutgers, The State University, transferring to Rhode Island in 2012. He has also been a member of the Lithuanian U16, U18 and U20 national teams. He helped Lithuania get a bronze medal at the 2007 U16 European Championships, averaging 14.6 points and 8 rebounds in that tournament. Biruta will make his Eurocup debut with Neptunas next season.