Head men’s basketball coach Chris Beard has announced the addition of Lis Shoshi for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

A 6-11 forward from Peje, Kosovo, Shoshi played the past two seasons at Howard College where he was named the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-WJCAC in 2015.

Before deciding to attend UALR, Shoshi took official visits to Washington State and Texas Tech.

“Lis is one of the most special people I have had the opportunity to coach,” Howard head coach Scott Raines said. “He is just the nicest, hardest working kid you could ever wish to meet, combined with this wonderful package of size and skill on the basketball court. His best basketball is ahead of him and the fans of UALR basketball are going to enjoy watching his continued blossoming.”

Playing under Raines, Shoshi helped lead Howard to a 24-8 overall record and a 13-3 mark in conference play in 2014-15. He blocked 51 shots and nearly averaged a double-double, finishing the year with averages of 9.4 points and 9.5 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game. He scored efficiently, shooting 51.5 percent from the floor and 68.9 percent from the foul line.

He posted nine double-doubles on the season, highlighted by a 22-point, 14-rebound, two-block effort against Phoenix College. Four days later, he finished with a line of 13 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks against Wayland Baptist.

“Lis Shoshi is an excellent addition for Little Rock,” Brad Winton of JUCORecruiting.com said.

“He is a 6-11, mobile forward who has the ability to score inside and out. Shoshi is very good on the defensive end and glass as well. He was in the top 30 in the country in rebounds per game at the junior college level and was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the WJCAC. Shoshi visited Texas Tech and Washington State before picking Little Rock. Lis Shoshi is a great sign for Chris Beard and the staff at Little Rock.”

The 6-11 forward racked up 15 double-figure rebounding games in 2014-15. He also posted 15 double-figure scoring efforts on the year. Shoshi’s 51 blocked shots were enough to rank in the top 50 nationally. He ranked 16th nationally in defensive boards (210), 20th in total rebounds (305) and 27th in rebounds per game.

“Little Rock’s signing of 6-11 Lis Shoshi is a huge get,” Jerry Mullen of MullenSports.net said. “Shoshi is skilled, mobile and boards. Shoshi will make an impact immediately in the Sun Belt Conference.”

Shoshi blocked multiple shots in 13 outings last season, including a season-high five at Wayland Baptist. He blocked at least three shots in a single game nine times.