Leicester Riders continued their team building for the new season, with the signing of American guard Tyler Bernadini.
The 6ft 6in Californian averaged nearly 13 points a game at university, while shooting 41 per cent from the three point line in his senior year.
Bernadini will fill an EU slot for the Riders because he is entitled to an Italian passport.
Bernardini is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and started for four years accumulating numerous honours and records.
In his senior year, he led his team to a 20-plus win season. He also had a brief spell with Cantu in Serie A of the Italian League.
Bernadini's college honours included top 10 all-time in scoring, three-point shots made and steals at Pennsylvania, and he was Ivy League Rookie of the Year and in the All Ivy League team in the 2008 season.
Loughborough University Business School are in partnership with the Riders to bring the talented American to the BBL.
Riders head coach Rob Paternostro said: "Tyler had a great career at the university – he was a standout performer from the start of his career to the end. He can shoot the ball very well from the perimeter, but can also make plays from many places on the floor.
"He has good size and versatility which allows him to play multiple positions. We feel he will fit in very well with the roster we have assembled.
"After speaking with him at length, we were very impressed with his enthusiasm and intelligence and are looking forward to working with him this season."
Bernadini is raring to go in the BBL. "I am extremely excited to be continuing my basketball career with Leicester," he said. "I have never felt better physically so, for me, these next few years will be some of the best basketball I hope to play.
"I cannot wait to contribute to the tradition and success of the club. My fiancée and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Leicester community and look forward to growing the profile of Riders' basketball."
