Aug. 22, 2007

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Golden State Warriors have signed forward Stephane Lasme (pronounced stef-on laz-me), whom the team selected with the 46th overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft, to a contract, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced Tuesday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Lasme, a 6-8 forward, played four seasons at the University of Massachusetts before entering the NBA Draft. As a senior, Lasme was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.09 blocks per game, while shooting 61.1% (165-270 FG) from the field. He ranked second in the NCAA in blocks, 13th in field goal percentage and tied for 20th in rebounds, joining #1 overall pick Greg Oden as the only players in the nation to rank in the top-25 in three statistical categories.

He recorded four triple-doubles during his senior campaign, joining Jason Kidd (Cal, 1993-94) and Michael Anderson (Drexel, 1985-86) as the only players in NCAA history to record four in a single season. As a junior, he was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and finished third in the NCAA in blocks (3.86 bpg).

A native of the West African country of Gabon, the 24-year-old played three seasons (2000-2003) for the Gabon National Team before attending UMass, representing his country in the All-Africa Games.

Lasme will wear uniform #12.