Ex-Gamecock Steed to play for ECU

Former USC forward Austin Steed will play for East Carolina next season, a spokesman at the Conference USA school said.

He has one year of eligibility remaining since he left the Gamecocks as a junior after the 2009-10 season because of reduced playing time.

The 6-foot-8 Hephzibah, Ga., native remained on scholarship until he graduated in December. Steed played in 67 games for USC, and started 13.

Steed has enrolled in graduate school at East Carolina and practiced with the Pirates. He is expected to compete for a starting spot at center.

He also could back up Darrius Morrow at power forward. Morrow was a USC recruit who was released from his letter of intent two weeks after Darrin Horn was hired by the Gamecocks. Efforts to reach Steed were unsuccessful.

This story was originally published April 1, 2011 at 8:06 AM with the headline "Ex-Gamecock Steed to play for ECU."