LOGAN, Utah-In news released Tuesday evening, Utah State men’s basketball head coach Craig Smith announced the signing of Polish national, center Szymon Zapala.
The 6-11, 240-pound center played for the Polish national squad at the 2019 FIBA U-18 FIBA European championships.
Zapala led the Poles to the finals in this tournament by virtue of his 7.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1 block per game averages.
His best performance came against Estonia as he netted 16 points while shooting 7-11 from the field.
In the semifinals against the Czech Republic, Zapala netted 10 points and ended the tournament shooting a torrid 61 percent (25-41) from the field.
Zapala has previously played for Trefl Sopot of Sopot, Poland in the U20 Polish Cup, earning MVP honors as he led his squad to the championships.
In high school, Zapala starred for SMS PZkosz Wladyslawowo, netting 17.9 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.1 assists for his team.
Smith lauded the Polish national, saying Zapala “possesses great skill, physicality and a high IQ for the game.”
