South Carolina signs junior college center Montout

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina now has some of the height it was missing last season with the addition of 6-foot-5 junior college center Wilka Montout.

Montout would be the Gamecocks’ tallest player since 6-foot, 5-inch Kelsey Bone left Columbia for Texas A&M after her freshman season two years ago. Montout comes to South Carolinia from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. She will have two years of eligibility left.

Montout averaged 18.6 points a game, the 13th best total nationally among junior college players. She also averaged better than eight rebounds a game.

Staley said Montout’s experience in the post will open up things for the Gamecocks’ outside shooting.

The Gamecocks finished 25-10 in Staley’s fourth season, reaching the NCAA’s round of 16 for the first time in 10 years.