DURHAM, N.C. – Former North Carolina Central University big man Jay Copeland joins another former Eagle forward in Italy as he signed a professional basketball contract to play for Peppino Cocuzza.

Copeland joins fellow Eagle Jordan Parks in Italy.  Parks signed for Pallacanestro Trieste last year.

"I am blessed to be given the opportunity and that they believed in me and my abilities enough to offer me a position on the team,” Copeland said about receiving the contract offer.  “It was a feeling of relief, it wasn't a matter of if but when; I always had faith and knew God was in control."

Copeland, a Suffolk, Virginia native, was a three-year player for the maroon and gray, and started all 34 games for the NCCU squad that made its first trip to the NCAA Tournament.  Even though he had his final two seasons interrupted by injury, Copeland started 71 games and finished as the team’s active leader in that category.

Over his career he averaged 7.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and ripped down five career double-doubles.

“I’m extremely proud that Jay gets an opportunity to pursue his dream of professional basketball,” NCCU men’s basketball head coach LeVelle Moton said of the big man.  “If not for his injuries the last two years, he would have finished with a stellar career.  I wish him nothing but the best.”

Peppino Cocuzza is a member of the Series C-Silver league.