Brown University big man Maia transferring to Pitt

Pitt’s men’s basketball team received a much-needed addition to its frontcourt, as Brown University graduate transfer Rafael Maia committed to the program for the upcoming school year, Pitt announced on Monday.

Head coach Jamie Dixon said the program is excited about bringing in Maia.

“Over his three years at Brown, he has proven to be the Ivy League’s top rebounder, effective offensive rebounder and consistent scorer,” Dixon said in a release. “His size and length will alsohelp us defensively at both low post positions.”

Maia is a six-foot-nine, 245 pound center who averaged 9.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season for the Bears, leading the conference in both rebounds and field goal percentage. Over his career, he has averaged 10.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, shooting 50.7 percent from the floor in the process.

Maia will be eligible immediately and has one year of eligibility remaining. He joins fellow graduate transfer Sterling Smith, junior college transfer Rozelle Nix and incoming freshman Damon Wilson as newcomers to Pitt for the upcoming season.