The Thunderbirds welcomed a big addition to their program early this week by signing one of the top big men prospects from London, England. Mantas Adomaitas will join the T-bird program this coming fall after signing the National Letter of Intent to play for Coach Joel Davidson. The 6’8 skilled forward led his national league team (Newham Youngbloods) through to the playoffs of his league averaging 31 points and 13 rebounds a contest. He was also named the MVP of his team this year and the Most Improved Player last year.
For his team in London, Mantas did a little bit of everything as he won the Most Valuable Player at the London CVL tournament, averaging 24 points and 15 rebounds. His versatility and toughness will be a great addition to what is stacking up to be one of the better front courts that Davidson has put together since he has been at Casper College.
Adomaitas also made the United Kingdom Elite team this year to compete in a world championship tournament in France. Prior to that, his London Leopards team (div1 men) were the National Cup Winners, League winners, as well as later on becoming the champions. He was recruited by several junior colleges in the United States and a few division 1 programs as well.
“Mantas will be a great addition to our front court and he will be able to add a rebounding presence that we are excited about having here at Casper College.” Head coach Joel Davidson says of Adomaitas. “He moves really well which helps him on the perimeter and has a toughness about him that allows him to score it on the block," Davidson says. "He is a very, very talented and tough player.”
With Remi Dibo (France) returning to the lineup for the T-Birds and the addition of (6’10) Lew Evans from Salt Lake City, UT and Richard Smith (6’7) From Richmond, VA, the talented forward will add depth to a front court that is shaping up to be a solid crew. Davidson and staff will be signing one more big man to add to the roster in the coming months.
Mantas Adomaitas Highlights
Joel Davidson and the Thunderbirds are happy to announce signing of Las Vegas point guard Khalid Banks from Cheyenne High School. Banks is the first point guard to sign with the T-Birds this off-season and is another in a line of highly-touted athletes to commit this spring to Joel Davidson and Casper College. T-Bird assistant coach Dan Russell has been very high on the 6’ 175-pound scoring point guard and made him a priority.
Banks is one of the more promising point guard prospects in the West Coast class of 2012. He is a natural leader and he does a good job of communicating with his teammates, according to Davidson. “He is very difficult to stop off the dribble and is crafty finishing at the rim,” Davidson says. “His passing ability is great, especially in transition, and shoots it well from 3-point range.”
At Cheyenne High School, Banks averaged 14 points per game, 3.4 assists, and 3.3 steals per contest. He was named to the 2nd Team All-Sunset Northwest Division. Banks was considered one of the top players in the City. Banks was a first-team All-Northwest League pick last season as a junior while averaging 18 points per game.
“Khalid will be a great addition to our team this upcoming season because he gives us added depth at the guard position and because of his skill set and scoring/shooting ability we can slide him over to play the 2-guard spot for us as well.” Davidson said of the next Las Vegas guard in line at Casper College. “We hang our hats on signing good guards and that’s something we will always do here at Casper. Khalid fits the mold and has a chance to be very successful here and at the next level. Coach Russell did a great job recruiting a fine student-athlete who will be a great fit on our campus.”
