We are really excited. We watched the drafting, wanting the best for him, and we’re thrilled he got the opportunity with the Clippers because they have a lot of roster needs. – Tim LaComb, BYU assistant basketball coach

BYU center Brandon Davies wasn't selected in last week's NBA draft, but a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Clippers will keep the former Provo High star's dreams alive.

According to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, Davies signed a partially guaranteed one-year contract with the Clippers over the weekend. The Clippers have been the center of several free agent rumors, including dealing away Eric Bledsoe.

Although Bledsoe is a wing player, Davies has a chance to find a spot because of the Clippers' player shuffles.

Pre-draft chatter had the 6-9, 235-pound Davies a candidate to go in the second round of the league’s draft.

Davies averaged 17.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and nearly one block per game during his senior season as a captain for the Cougars.

The fact Davies gets a chance in the NBA pleases BYU’s coaching staff, which watched him earn All-WCC honors this past season.

“We are really excited. We watched the drafting, wanting the best for him, and we’re thrilled he got the opportunity with the Clippers because they have a lot of roster needs,” said BYU assistant coach Tim LaComb.

The Clippers have until July 10 to get under the salary cap. That is the date the league’s trade moratorium ends and management needs to trade and add new players like Davies.

Said LaComb: “He still needs to make the team, but there are parts of his contract that are very favorable and show they have an interest in him. This is very good for Brandon. He’s got to have a good summer, but we’re happy and proud of him and excited for him to have this to take advantage of. He is in great shape right now and we want the best for him.”

After his senior season, Davies turned a lot of heads when he participated in the Portsmouth Invitational, a premier showcase for outgoing college players. Davies earned MVP honors and some NBA scouts commented publicly that his performance may have put him in the second round of the draft.

Davies can still make the Clippers' roster if he proves he can build on the momentum from Portsmouth, even though that flurry of effort failed to get him on anybody’s draft board last Thursday.

The Clipper roster from this past season included post players Lamar Odom, DeAndre Jordan, DaJuan Summers and Ronny Turiaf and forwards Matt Barnes, Reggie Bullock and Caron Butler.

Dick Harmon, Deseret News sports columnist, can be found on Twitter as Harmonwrites and can be contacted at dharmon@desnews.com.