Rodrigo Silva, who signed to a letter of intent to play for the Texas Tech basketball team next season, will instead sign a professional contract in his home country of Brazil, the Avalanche-Journal has learned.

Silva, a 6-foot-10 forward who last played at Laramie Country (Wyo.) Community College, opted to return home to be closer to his ailing father, and he will turn pro and join the Brazilian Basketball League.

Silva arrived in Lubbock at the beginning of the summer and participated in team workouts during the first summer school session. Tech assistant coach Jeremy Cox said last month that Silva had been "fantastic" in practices.

While the departure of Silva puts a dent in Tech's depth in the post, the Red Raiders should be more solidified than they were at that position a season ago.

Tech coach Billy Gillispie has lauded the progress of Dejan Kravic and Kader Tapsoba -- who sat out last season due to transfer rules and injury, respectively -- and both to be key figures of the post rotation, along with sophomore Jordan Tolbert.