By Art Garcia | @ArtGarcia92

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington graduates Karol Gruszecki and Brandon Edwards have signed new contracts with international teams. Gruszecki inked a deal with 2015 Polish League champion Stelmet Zielona Gora, while Edwards joins Melilla Baloncesto in the LEB league in Spain.

The two-year contract represents a step up for Gruszecki, who signed with Belgacom Spirou Basket in the Tauron Basket League in 2013. He was loaned to Energa Black Slupsk last season and excelled, averaging 14.6 points with a high of 35 and earning Player of the Month honors for March.

"I'm really excited about upcoming season," Gruszecki said. "Playing for Stelmet Zielona Gora is a huge opportunity for me to become better player and prove that I can play on the high level. I'm really happy that all the sacrifices I made and the hard work I put in the gym is paying off, and I will have a chance to play in Euroleague against the best teams in Europe"

Edwards, in his second season of professional basketball, played last season with Ribeira Sacra CB Breogan Lugo. In 35 LEB Gold games, he averaged 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds, and helped the squad reach the finals.

"I am very happy to sign with Melilla Basketball," Edwards said. "My signing means that the club and the coaches saw something me to deserve a new chance in the LEB Gold. I have heard very good things about both the city and the club from players who have gone through Melilla and my agent. In addition, the weather is very good and similar to Texas.

"I think with my physical ability, hard work and rebounding, I can bring a lot of energy to help the team win as many games possible and, of course, for people to enjoy coming to watch the games."

Gruszecki, a Lodz, Poland native, transferred to UT Arlington from North Platte Community College in 2011. He helped lead the team to back-to-back postseason appearances in 2012 and 2013, and was named to the All-WAC tournament team as a senior.

Edwards, a graduate of Fort Worth South Hills, is the second all-time leading rebounder in UTA history with 852. Edwards' 314 rebounds in 2013-14, his final season, are the most in a single season in UTA history. He was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference third team as a senior.

Gruszecki and Edwards join former standout Marquez Haynes with new contracts this summer. Haynes signed with Italian champion Dinamo Sassari for the 2015-16 season.