July 11, 2006

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Former Longwood University men’s basketball player Chad Kosmo/Northport, Maine (6-11, 260) has signed to play professionally in Uruguay for Club Deportivo Sayago located in Montevideo, Uruguay.  Kosmo earned his pro contract after attending a free agent camp at Salem State (Mass.) College near Boston June 23-25 where he attained camp All-Star honors (top 10 among 70) after averaging 14.4 points and 9.6 rebounds.
    
“Every player dreams of being able to continue his playing career as a professional,” said fourth-year Longwood head coach Mike Gillian.  “Chad has a wonderful opportunity to realize that dream by joining Deportivo Sayago in Uruguay.  This is a validation of all the hard work that Chad has put into the game of basketball and into the development of our program here at Longwood.  I certainly feel this is just the beginning of great things to come for Chad.
    
“We are also all very proud of the fact that Chad will be completing his sociology degree requirements by the end of the summer and achieving something just as important as signing this pro contract; being a Longwood graduate.”
    
Kosmo was limited by a severe ankle injury during his senior season, starting seven of 19 games while averaging 8.1 minutes, 1.7 points, and 2.4 rebounds.  He posted season-highs of eight points and 10 rebounds at the College of Charleston (12/29/05); after career-highs of 12 points at #1 Illinois (12/27/04) and 11 rebounds against Utah Valley State (3/2/05) as a junior.  Kosmo ranks sixth in career blocks (56) while playing just two seasons at Longwood.
    
“I am very excited to be playing in Uruguay because it has been my dream to become a pro basketball player since I was a kid,” explained Kosmo.  “I was not sure if I was still going to play because of my bad ankle injury, but I recovered and was able to play great at the free agent camp in Boston.”
    
The professional basketball season in Uruguay is scheduled to start in late August.