Former North Carolina State standout Richard Howell has agreed to sign a partially guaranteed contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent Joel Bell told RealGM.

Howell had been bought out from his French team and flew to the States to sign his new deal on Friday. Despite having 15 players under guaranteed deals, the Blazers are intrigued by Howell, the 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 12.7 points and 10.9 rebounds in his senior season at N.C. State.

After going undrafted in June, Howell played for the Denver Nuggets’ summer league team.

Howell, 22, impressed NBA teams in the pre-draft process and projects as an active, rugged presence inside.