KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island head coach Archie Miller announced that former Ram Gilvydas Biruta and Madiaw Niang have joined the program as graduate assistants, completing the coaching staff for 2023-24.

Biruta was a 1,200-point scorer during his collegiate career with Rutgers and Rhode Island. After spending two seasons at Rutgers and making the AAC All-Rookie Team in 2012, Biruta transferred to URI in 2013 and spent two seasons playing for Dan Hurley. In 65 career games with the Rams, Biruta averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, netting 607 points in just two years. In his second season, he helped Rhody go 23-10 and advance to the second round of the NIT. While at Rhode Island, Biruta was a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team honoree.

Following his collegiate career, Biruta spent the summer of 2015 with the Denver Nuggets Summer League team. He also played professionally in Europe from 2015-2023. He began his career with 2015–2016 Neptunas Klaipeda (2015-16), and also had stints with Lavrio (2016), Aries Trikala (2016-17), Assigeco Piacenza (2017), JL Bourg (2017-18), Cherkaski Mavpy (2019), Lietkabelis Panevežys (2020), Heroes Den Bosch (2020), CBet Prienai (2020-21) and CEP Lorient (2021-23).

Biruta also has international experience as part of the Lithuanian National Team program, helping the U-16 team win a bronze medal at the 2007 FIBA Europe U-16 Championship. He also had two runs with the U-18 National Team, winning silver at the 2008 FIBA Europe U-18 Championship.

"Gilvydas has a wide variety of experiences that bring tremendous value to the program," Miller said. "He played here under Dan Hurley, so he is familiar with establishing a successful culture on this campus. He also understands what it takes at the next level, given his professional career. There is a lot of game understanding - both on and off the court - that our players can learn from Gilvydas."

Niang played four seasons at Florida Atlantic 2018-2022) before spending a graduate season with Radford last year. He played in 152 collegiate games during his career, averaging 2.84 points and 2.97 rebounds per game.

Niang was a part of 87 victories and three postseason teams during his playing career. Last season, he helped Radford reach the CBI semifinals. During his time at FAU, he played in the 2022 CBI and the 2018 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

"Madiaw was a solid big man with FAU and Radford and can help with the development of our post players," Miller said of the 6-10 Senegal native. "He is fresh off his own collegiate career and can relate well to the players on this team. He has been through the transfer process and understands the importance of developing chemistry quickly in today's game."

Biruta and Niang join a coaching staff that remains largely intact from Miller's first season. Assistant coaches Kenny Johnson, Duane Woodward and Austin Carroll are all back, as are Christen Cunningham and Benny Sanders, both of whom were promoted to assistant coach during the offseason.

Rhode Island opens the 2023-24 season Monday, Nov. 6 against Central Connecticut State.