July 10, 2007

Columbia, SC – South Carolina forward Brandon Wallace, an undrafted free agent currently playing in the NBA’s Summer League for the Boston Celtics in Las Vegas, was offered and has signed a two-year, partially guaranteed contract with the Celtics. If Wallace has a long NBA career, it’s doubtful he will ever forget his first basket in the NBA – a dunk over the NBA’s 2007 No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, Portland’s Greg Oden.

Wallace will return to Columbia on Sunday, work to finish the two classes he is taking and looks forward to graduation in August. He will return to Boston in early August with the veterans training camp being held in September.

“I am at a loss for words, but very happy. It hasn’t sunk in yet – I am on cloud nine. I was not surprised they offered me a contract, but I was surprised they signed me before their other two draft picks,” said Wallace. On playing the 3 in the NBA: “It feels good. Playing the four in college there is a lot of banging bodies. Playing the three in the NBA you have to play defense and be very good at chasing and harassing people. I talked to Tarence Kinsey (who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies last summer as a free agent and ended up starting at the end of the year) before I went to Summer League and he told me rebound, block shots, work hard and good things will happen.”

LSU’s Glenn Davis and former Kentucky All-SEC guard Rajon Rondo are also on the Celtics roster. “They are both very good,” Wallace. “Rajon is excellent – he has really improved since he was in college. I don’t know if playing against them helped me, but I knew what to expect from both of them – their style. They both were really happy for me yesterday and congratulated me.”

Wallace has averaged 6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and .5 bpg while playing for the Celtics Summer League team in Las Vegas.

Wallace said playing at South Carolina helped him prepare defensively. “Playing the post in college and knowing how to rebound and block shots helped,” said Wallace. “Knowing what to do on defense is a credit to the USC coaches. I have to thank my family for their support and of course everyone at South Carolina. I have to keep working hard and stay focused.”

This past season, an All-SEC Honorable Mention selection, Wallace averaged 36.5 mpg, 9.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 spg and 2.9 bpg. He led the team in blocked shots and rebounds. Wallace set school record for career blocked shots with 249 and the school record for games played in a career with 135. He finished his career at No. 9 in the SEC blocked shots. On South Carolina’s career list, he is No. 5 in career bpg (1.84 bpg) and No. 6 in career rebounds (775). He and Alex English are the only two Gamecock players to finish their career with more than 700 rebounds and 200 blocked shots.

“I’m really excited for Brandon and the opportunity the Celtics have given him to show what he could do in the NBA Summer League against some of the more highly publicized draft choices,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “From all reports he has more than held his own which does not surprise me. I’m sure he will stay focused and finish summer league play on a high note. I look forward to his return to Columbia this weekend as we get him ready for the opening of fall camp. Between the end of the summer league play and the beginning of fall camp he will be working to finish his South Carolina degree and graduate in August. I’m very proud of Brandon and I have a world of confidence in his ability to make the Celtics roster.”

Wallace’s Career Stats

• 2006-07: Averaged 36.5 mpg/9.9 ppg /9.4 rpg/1.9 apg/1.3 spg/2.9 bpg
• SEC IRON-MAN —- Played 40+ MIN in 7 games and has started every game
• 8+ REB in 22 games; Led/tied for most in 24 of 30 games; 6+ REB in 14 of 16 SEC game
• 2+ BLK in 24 games
• CAREER LISTS: Set school record for career blocked shots (249) and finished No. 9 in SEC all-time play; he also set the school record for career games played (135); was No. 5 in career bpg (1.84 bpg); No. 6 in career rebounds (775)
• 7 BLK – tying school record for most in an SEC game while breaking school record for most in career – tallying 239; added 12 PT, 7 REB in win over Ole Miss
• 8 REB, 4 PT, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK in loss at No. 3 UF
• With career record holder in the audience (Danny Traylor, 235) – had one of his better games — 8 PT, 6 REB, 4 BLK, 3 AST in 37 MIN in win over Tennessee •13 REB w/ 9 PT, 3 STL in 37 MIN at Vandy – had no BLK for only the 3rd time this season
• 11 PT, 8 REB, 3 BLK in 32 MIN in loss to UGA; moved to No. 3 on career blocks list (227)
• 11 REB, 9 PT (4-9) in loss at ‘Bama; added 2 BLK in 36 MIN of play
• Career-high 16 REB, 10 PT for (2nd DD this year; 7th career); 2 AST, 2 BLK in MSU win
• Career-high 10 Off. REB w/ 13 REB total in win over UA; 5 BLK, 2 AST, 2 STL
• Career-high 15 REB in loss at UT; added 9 PT, 3 AST, 2 BLK in 37 MIN
• First D-D this season with 17 PT, 11 REB, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 2 REB in 35 MIN in J’ville win
• 12 PT, 6 REB, career-high 7 AST in 32 MIN in win over UNCA
• 12 REB in win over PU; scored 9 PT and was 3-10 fro the FT line; played 40 MIN w/ 4 BLK
• 12 REB in win at Baylor; added 7 PT w/ 2 BLK, 2 STL in 33 MIN
• Career night in win over College of Charleston! Career-high 22 PT w/ career-high 8 BLK, adding 9 REB and 4 AST in 38 MIN
• Had 4 dunks in loss to Clemson; scored 13 PT w/ 8 REB in 40 MIN of play
• Scored career-high 20 PT (7-11) in win over LU; grabbed 8 REB and added 2 BLK and a STL
• In win at USC gathered 8 REB w/ 3 BLK, 8 PT in 41 MIN
• 2005-06: Averaged 30.7 mpg/7.6 ppg/6.1 rpg/2.3 apg/1.9 bpg/0.8 spg
• His 73 blocks were No. 4 on the all-time season list; 1st in bpg; 2nd in rpg, apg; 4th in ppg; Added six double-digit rebounding games
• Had at least two blocks in 18 games, including 7 blocks in win at UAA; Started every game except Ole Miss (1/11) and UGA (1/14)
• In NIT semifinal win vs. Louisville scored a career-high 19 PT w/ 5 REB, 4 BLK in 34 MIN; also career-highs: 8 FG made and 12 FG ATT
• In NIT quarterfinal win at Cincinnati grabbed his 5th double-double of the year (6th career) w/ 12 PT, 13 REB, 2 AST, 4 BLK in 40 MIN
• In SEC semifinal win over UK scored 5 PT w/ 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK in 32 MIN
• In win over No. 14 UT, scored 8 PT w/ 5 REB, 2 AST, 3 BLK in 35 MIN
• Playing w/ 4 stitches inside his mouth, scored 14 PT, 12 REB in 4th double-double of the year (5th of career); 1 AST, 1 BLK in 38 MIN
• First double figure game in SEC play in 2006, scoring 11 PT (including 3 slams) w/ 7 REB, 3 AST in 29 MIN in win over Miss. State
• In 23 MIN play scored 8 PT w/ 6 REB, 2 BLK in 23 MIN in win at No. 6 Florida
• In win over No. 4 UF, left game late in the 1st half after being scratched on the eye (cornea scratch), day to day; scored 4 PT w/ 2 REB in 14 MIN
• Hit maybe the biggest 3 of his college career when he buried one in the 2nd half of the OT win at Vandy in 15th start of the year; scored 7 PT, pulled down 7 REB, 2 BLK, tied career-high w/ 6 AST in career-high 41 MIN
• Roared off the bench in UGA game to collect career-high 15 REB, 7 PT, 2 AST, 3 BLK in 35 MIN
• Third double-double this year (4th in career) SCSU win; team-high 35 MIN, grabbing 12 REB and tied career high w/ 13 PT, 3 AST, 1 BLK
• Picked up his second double-double of the season in win over Wofford; career-high 13 PT, 10 REB w/ 5 AST, 3 BLK, 2 STL in 32 MIN
• Continued outstanding play in Shootout with 10 PT, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK, 2 STL in 36 MIN in OT loss to Marquette
• In Monmouth win, picked up double-double; career highs: 14 REB, 5 AST w/ 10 PT, 1 BLK and 2 STL in 25 MIN (picked up 10 REB in 2nd half)
• Blocked 7 shots in win over UAA; 7 PT, 4 REB, 1 AST in 29 MIN
• 2004-05: Averaged 5.7 ppg , 4.5 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.0 spg and 1.7 bpg
• Led team in blocks (55) and dunks (30); Scored in every game with the exception of both UF games (played 20 MIN due to eye injury the 2nd half)
• Started fifth straight game in NIT finals win over St. Joseph’s – 8 PT, 9 REB (lead team), 1 BLK in 31 MIN – named to All-Tournament team
• In semifinal NIT game vs. Maryland – 6 PT, 5 REB, 5 BLK w/ 2 STL in 27 MIN
• In second round NIT game vs. UNLV, with 13 PT w/ 2 AST, 1 STL in 23 MIN; 0 BLK
• Off the bench, scored 8 PT, 5 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL in 20 MIN in win over No. 3 UK
• 8 REB, 4 PT, 1 BLK, 1 STL in 28 MIN in win over UGA
• 4 BLK performance in win over Arkansas; scored 4 PT, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL in 24 MIN
• 2003-04: 3.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg and 0.6 spg; Finished second on the team with 35 blocks; Played in all 34 games, starting 3
• Celebrated his 19th birthday on Selection Sunday with the NCAA Tournament bracket announcement at Coach Odom’s house
• At SEC Tourney: Tallied 7 PT with 6 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK in 15 MIN vs. LSU; 13 PT w/ 4 REB, 1 BLK, 3 STL in 17 MIN in loss to UK
• Double-double in his first career start: 10 PTS and 11 REB; 3 BLK, 1 STL and 1 AST in win over TC
• Ranked No. 52 by Rivalshoops Top 100 … Ranked No. 15 Small Forward by Rivalshoops and No. 11 in Rivalshoops Southeast Top 25
• Named the Gatorade South Carolina POY
• At Silver Bluff his senior year, averaged 21.9 points, 15.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.3 blocks per game
• Led team to 24-7 record, clinching the state title on a last second basket at The Colonial Center, defeating Calhoun County 59-58
• Two-time Region Five Class AA Player of the Year who was a McDonald’s All-American finalist senior yr.; named All-State last two years
• Augusta Chronicle Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003; his junior year he averaged 22 ppg and 12 rpg with team making the Final Four at 26-6