Tag: Michigan state center

Michigan State basketball lands transfer portal center Szymon Zapala

Michigan State is adding 7-footer Szymon Zapala via the transfer portal

Michigan State basketball has made a splash in the NCAA transfer portal for the second time this offseason. The Spartans have picked up the commitment of center Szymon Zapala.

Zapala checks in at 7’0″ and 240 pounds hailing from Zaborze, Poland. He spent his first three seasons at Utah State before spending this past season at Longwood.

In just over 16 minutes per game this past season, Zapala averaged 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Those stats translate to 23.48 points and 13.37 rebounds per 40 minutes, which shows the potential he could have.

Michigan State won this recruitment over the likes of Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Rhode Island, VCU and Wichita State.

Zapala will bring one year of eligibility with him to East Lansing.

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Michigan State basketball trending to land portal center, according to reports

MSU is trending for a 7-footer in the transfer portal

Just when everyone thought Tom Izzo may just get Frankie Fidler and be done in the transfer portal, it appears that the Spartans are making a move for a center in the transfer portal. According to reports, Michigan State may be in the lead for a center transfer from Longwood.

Szymon Zapala, a native of Zaborze, Poland, is a 7-foot tall, 240 pound center. After spending three seasons at Utah State, he spent this past season with Longwood, averaging 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in only 16.8 minutes per game.

Aside from Michigan State, it is known that Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Rhode Island, VCU and Wichita State were all involved with the big man.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

A new transfer portal prospect for MSU basketball to monitor

There’s a new center in the transfer portal that MSU has to take a look at:

The world of the NCAA transfer portal is ever changing day by day. With guys coming off of the board, and new guys entering, the options are fluid. One guy who just entered the portal is a guy who Michigan State should heavily consider taking a long look at.

Tennessee center Tobe Awaka made the decision to enter the portal after two years with the Vols. While he was not in the portal when the first edition of 10 players Michigan State basketball should pursue in the transfer portal was created, he would be on that list today.

Awaka is a 6-foot-8, 250 pound center from the Bronx, New York. Yes, he is slightly lacking in the height department, but that shouldn’t scare Spartan fans, he plays like a grown man.

Following MSU’s scrimmage with Tennessee this past October, Tom Izzo had this to see about the Tennessee big man:

I think he (Rick Barnes) has interchangeable parts; he can bring those bigs in; Awaka, is a man, he’s just a man child, he gives them a different look than Aidoo.

Aside from Izzo already knowing Awaka, and liking his game, in limited minutes, the center showed what he is capable of.

Awaka averaged 5.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game in just over 13 minutes of action. He shot 59% from the field to go along with 74% from the line.

His 124 offensive rating on KenPom is well above the average of 100, and his 92 defensive rating (the lower the better) also shows his prowess on the defensive end. He also would have ranked 4th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage at 18%, but he did not play enough minutes to qualify.

There is some projection that would have to be done here, as doubling your minutes doesn’t always mean doubling your numbers, but all things considered, Awaka is the type of center Izzo loves to have and MSU needs.

He will have two years of eligibility remaining, wherever he chooses to go.