CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi head men's basketball coach
Willis Wilson has announced the signing of Edgars Kaufmanis to a National Letter of Intent. Kaufmanis is a 6'4" guard/small forward who played last season at North Platte College and is originally from Valmiera, Latvia.
"Edgars is a tough, disciplined wing who can really shoot the basketball," said Wilson. "His ability to extend the defense will expose the paint, permitting our inside-out game to be all the more effective. His work ethic and unselfishness to do whatever it takes to help the team makes him a tremendous asset to our program."
Kaufmanis appeared in 29 games last season at North Platte Community College, averaging 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He scored in double figures 11 times and had two 20-point performances. He helped lead the Knights to a 24-5 overall record and an appearance in the Region IX Tournament.
As a youth in Latvia, Kaufmanis won four national championships for his age group and was named MVP three of the four years. He was named an All-Star 5 for six seasons in a row and was presented with the Valdermara Baumana Kauss Award, given to the best player in the country for their age. Three former winners of the award are now playing in the NBA.
When he arrives on the Island, Kaufmanis will have three years of eligibility remaining.
2019-20 Signing Class
Jalen White - 6'5" SF/PF, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Aristotelis Sotiriou - 6'8" F, Athens, Greece
Jordan Hariston - 6'0" G, Centreville, Va.
Edgars Kaufmanis - 6'4" G/F; Latvia
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