University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

1999-2000 (Junior): Started 29 games...scored in dobule-figures in eight games...led team in assists in 12 games and co-led in four games...fouled out one game (1/28/00 vs. San Jose State)...had game-winning reverse layup with one second left on Dec. 27 vs. Bradley...averaged 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.7 apg, 29.0 mpg.

1999-2000 Awards/Honors: Named to PEPSI ONE/NEXTEL Challenge all-tournament team...named to Hawai'i Invitational all-tournament team...named to NIke Festival all-tournament team.

Junior College: Attended Weatherford College in Texas for two years...as a sophomore, averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game...named North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference (NTJCAC) Player-of-the-Year...named to the NJCAA All-America team...led the Coyotes to a 35-3 overall mark and the NTJCAC championship...Weatherford finished with a No. 3 national ranking and was junior college's highest scoring team...in his freshman year, ranked third in the conference with a 9.4 rebounds per game average...named second-team All-America...coached by Mark Osina.

Prep: A 1994 graduate of Kudirkos Naumiestis in Lithuania...earned letters in basketball, soccer and track and field.

Personal: Born in Lithuania...has three sisters (Neringa, Audrone and Karolina)...parents are Vitalija and Vincas Puida of Sakiu Raj, Lithuania...nickname is "Nero"...wife Dainora plays for the Rainbow Wahine basketball team...favorite athlete is Portland Trail Blazer Arvydas Sabonis...aspires to play professional basketball in Europe...favorite colors are green and white...favorite movie is "Braveheart"...favorite actor is Kevin Costner.