Former UGA forward Maten signs with Heat

Yante Maten has taken another step — a big one — on his journey to the NBA.

The former University of Georgia power forward signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat on Sunday, the team announced. Maten went unselected in the NBA draft last month.

Maten, the SEC Player of the Year last season, had a strong showing as part of Heat entries in the Sacra- mento and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. He averaged 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting .446 percent from the field, including .385 from 3-point range, in seven games.

Maten, a 6-foot-8 power forward, had five double-fig- ure scoring games during the tournaments.

On a two-way deal, Maten can play up to 45 days in the NBA. He will play with the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

At Georgia, Maten played four years and appeared in 128 games. He averaged 14.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in his tenure. Maten ended his career ranked second on the school’s all-time list in points (1,886), third in blocks (198), fourth in rebounds (889) and free throws made (518) and sixth in field goals (655).

As a senior, he averaged 19.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in 33 games.

Maten became the first Bulldog in 25 years to earn three All-SEC honors in his career and the sixth player in UGA history.