HOUSTON – Ricmonds Vilde, a 6-11, 255-pound post originally from Riga, Latvia, will transfer to HBU and join the Huskies' basketball team for the 2013-14 season, head coach Ron Cottrell announced Friday. Vilde has completed his undergraduate degree, but will have two seasons of eligibility remaining as he pursues a master's degree at HBU. 
 
“We're excited to finalize our 2013 recruiting class with a transfer student who brings us size and experience, having playing Division I basketball previously,” Cottrell said. “The fact that Ricmonds comes to HBU as a graduate student with two years of eligibility remaining is a highly unusual, but positive, situation for him and for us.”
 
Vilde began his career at SMU, redshirting the 2010-11 season. As a freshman in 2011-12, he appeared in 15 games, including five starts, and averaged 1.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and totaled 13 assists. He had a career-high eight points against McMurry and had five points and five rebounds against Florida Gulf Coast. Due to a coaching change prior to last season, Vilde was not a member of the basketball team, but finished his bachelor's degree at SMU.
 
“I am happy to be coming to HBU,” Vilde said. “I really like the coaching staff – Coach Cottrell reminds me a lot of my prep school coach, who I really enjoyed playing for – and they run an offense that is the best fit for me as a power forward/center. I want to come in and do the best I can to help the Huskies win a Southland Conference championship.”
 
Vilde finished his prep career for coach James Graffam at Lee Academy in Maine, after leading his high school team in Latvia to two Riga city championships and two national runner-up finishes. His career highs in high school were 34 points and 18 rebounds. Vilde played in the U16 and U18 European Championships and was a member of the Latvian Youth Basketball All-Star team.
 
“Ricmonds is a terrific athlete for his size, and he has an international game, so he can step out and play the four as well as the five, which fits well with our current roster and style of play,” Cottrell said. “We expect him to bring leadership to our team because of his past experience and his work ethic both on an off the court. He has a reputation for being a diligent worker in the weight room, so his size and presence will be a benefit for us, both offensively and defensively.”
 
Vilde gives HBU seven newcomers, joining fellow transfer, sophomore Fred Richardson III, who came from Oregon. The Huskies also have five freshmen – Alex Fountain, Cody Stetler, Colter Lasher, Reveal Chukwujekwu and Jimmy Barton.
 
2013 HBU Basketball Recruiting Class
Jimmy Barton – 5-10 – G – St. Louis, Mo. (De Smet Jesuit)
Reveal Chukwujekwu – 6-3 – G – Houston, Texas (Strake Jesuit)
Alex Fountain – 6-7 – F – Wartburg, Tenn. (Wartburg Central)
Colter Lasher – 6-7 – G/F – Anchorage, Alaska (Dimond)
Fred Richardson III – 6-5 – G – Houston, Texas (Clear Brook/Oregon)
Cody Stetler – 6-9 – F – Hoisington, Kansas (Hoisington)
Ricmonds Vilde – 6-11 – C/F – Riga, Latvia (Lee Academy [Maine]/SMU)