Pittsburgh (KDKA)- Duquesne University head men’s basketball coach Ron Everhart announced today that Martins Abele, a 7-1, 290-pound transfer from Radford, has signed a grant-in-aid agreement and has been admitted to the University.

Abele (ah-BELL-ee), who averaged 5.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19 games (nine starts) last season for Radford, will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

“Martins has the experience to come in and be an immediate contributor,” said Everhart. “He played at a very high level at Oak Hill Academy and also has a year of Division I basketball under his belt at Radford.

“He is unique to our program in that his width and size gives us the type of player we don’t have. I expect him to make an impact and I’m excited to have him at Duquesne.”

Abele, who was slowed by a sprained knee early in the 2010-11 season, joined Radford’s starting lineup after posting a 15-10 double-double (both season highs) off the bench at Winthrop on Jan. 20. He averaged 6.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in 22.6 minutes in nine consecutive games as a starter, before missing the final two games with a concussion.

Abele will be the tallest player to take the court for Duquesne since 7-2 Ricky Lopes played in all 30 games for DU’s 1994 NIT team. Abele, who wears a size 18 shoe, is just the fifth 7-footer in Duquesne basketball history.