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Raptors to sign convicted rapist?

Saturday, May 29, 2004

The Raptors are considering the merits of a 24-year-old Lithuanian who, the club concedes, has served time in prison for his involvement in a gang rape.

Kristof Lavrinovic, a 6-foot-10 centre who plays in Russia's top professional league, told two European media outlets yesterday that the Raptors are prepared to offer him a contract when the NBA's signing period begins July 14.

"Toronto presented me with a contract," Lavrinovic told a Russian sports Web site, a claim he reiterated in a Lithuanian newspaper. "But according to NBA rules I can't sign until (July 14)."

Raptors interim general manager Jack McCloskey said that, while the Raptors are among a number of NBA clubs who "have some interest" in Lavrinovic, they have yet to make him an offer.

"He's getting ahead of himself," McCloskey said by phone from his home at Skidaway Island, Ga. "We can't (sign him right now) and we're not sure we're going to."

Lavrinovic's on-court performance, even if it turns out to be worthy of an NBA contract, won't be the only consideration. Two Lithuanian sources said yesterday that he spent time in prison for the rape of a teenaged girl he committed with his twin brother Darius and another man. Sports Illustrated has reported that Darius spent two years in jail, where he played basketball six or seven hours a day, before his release in January 20