Aug. 12, 2013
="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported"> ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported"> UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Doug Richards
UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Keith Clanton will begin his professional career in Poland. UCF's all-time leader in rebounds, blocks and games played has signed a contract with Amwil Wloclawek in Poland's top league.
"I felt like when I had another good opportunity, I had to take it," Clanton told the Orlando Sentinel about the deal. "I felt like it was a good opportunity, it's a good team and I'm going to be playing for a good organization."
The Orlando native, who received his bachelor's degree earlier this month, will soon depart for Poland.
The forward averaged 14.8 points, 8.5 boards, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocks as a senior in 2012-13. The former Orlando Christian Prep standout received NABC All-District 11 First Team and All-Conference USA Second Team honors. He ranked fifth in C-USA in rebounds per game, second in blocks per outing and sixth in field-goal percentage (53.5).
Clanton finished his career as UCF's all-time leader in rebounds (1,000), blocks (227), games played (129) and starts (121). A member of three 20-win squads, he scored 1,718 points, good for sixth in program history.
In July, he spent time with the Orlando Magic's summer league squad.
"I think it'll be a little different at first," Clanton said of the move overseas. "It was an adjustment I was going to have to make even if I played in the NBA, most likely I would have had to leave Orlando. I have to take it as a job, go there play my hardest and hopefully it'll happen and I can come back in the league one day. That's my ultimate plan. Everyone has a path to go on, this is my path."