Top JC Center Signs with BYU

PROVO -- Rafael Araujo, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound center at Arizona Western College has signed an NCAA Letter-of-Intent to play basketball at BYU.

Considered one of the top five junior-college players in the country, Araujo was recruited by North Carolina, Illinois, UNLV and San Diego State among others. A physically strong athlete with great leaping ability, Araujo runs the floor well and has range on the perimeter.

"We are thrilled to have Rafael decide to join the BYU basketball program," BYU coach Steve Cleveland said. "He is a great young man that people really enjoy being around. He's got legitimate NBA center size and has the potential to make a significant impact on the program. He's still got some things to learn, but he has all the tools to become an outstanding player at the Division I level."

Araujo is averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds this year for No. 7-ranked Western Arizona, located in Yuma. He scored a season-high 35 points in 22 minutes in the season-opener and has totaled a season-high 17 rebounds.

A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Araujo will enter BYU as a junior. He will enroll next fall.