Lithuanian forward from class of 2023 visits Dayton

Petras Padegimas could fill Dayton’s 13th scholarship
Dayton coaches Ricardo Greer, James Kane and Darren Hertz talk on the bench during a game against Virginia Commonwealth on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Va. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

Credit: David Jablonski

Dayton coaches Ricardo Greer, James Kane and Darren Hertz talk on the bench during a game against Virginia Commonwealth on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Va. David Jablonski/Staff

Petras Padegimas, a 6-foot-8 forward from Lithuania, visited the Dayton Flyers this weekend. UD has one scholarship open after the commitment of Pittsburgh transfer Nate Santos on Tuesday.

Padegimas shared photos Sunday on Instagram of himself in a Dayton uniform at UD Arena. He did the same thing Thursday during a visit to Brigham Young.

Padegimas signed a letter of intent with Central Florida in November but decommitted from Central Florida on May 26.

In February, UCF coach Johnny Dawkins talked to Rivals.com about Padegimas.

“Petras brings us another versatile player,” Dawkins said. “He’s 6-8 and he’s about 225, 230 walking in the door to college. I think in the league where we’re headed, in that type of environment, he’s like the other two players (UCF signed) in that physically they’re almost ready (for the Big 12). He brings that physicality. He’s explosive and athletic around the rim. He’s a capable shooter on the perimeter. He plays extremely hard and he’s a gym rat. He works at it and wants to be really good.”

Padegimas played last season for DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Fla. He averaged 19.5 points and 8.0 rebounds. He played for Lithuania in the FIBA U-17 World Cup last year in Malaga, Spain, averaging 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Padegimas received offers from Florida Atlanta, Utah State, High Point and Loyola Marymount before committing to Central Florida.

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