Szymon Zapala committed to Michigan State over Kansas State, Oklahoma, VCU and others.
Michigan State men’s basketball has done what all fans have been screaming for (for years?) and landed a big man in the transfer portal. Polish born Szymon Zapala is coming to East Lansing – all seven feet of him.
The graduate transfer will use his fifth year of eligibility (the “COVID Year”) at Michigan State after spending three seasons at Utah State and last year at Longwood University.
In his three years at Utah State, Zapala played 5 minutes or less per game. In his senior year at Longwood though, his production went up substantially. In just under 17 minutes a game, the seven foot, 240-pound center averaged 9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and nearly a block per game.
Zapala was a sought after prospect in the portal, with Kansas State , Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and VCU among the many suitors considered in contention for his talents. Due to his status as an international student, Zapala will not be able to receive the large NIL deals many of his fellow transfer prospects are demanding.
Similarly to fellow transfer Frankie Fidler, the big man’s impact will depend on his ability to translate his skills from the low major basketball to high major competition. Longwood plays in the Big South which is a substantially less competitive league than the Big Ten.
This transfer should lock in Michigan State’s 2024-2025 men’s basketball roster with Zapala most likely slated to back up Carson Cooper at the five. Xavier Booker is the projected starter at the four and Jaxon Kohler will likely play some at the five spot and some at the four.
Fans have been hoping for Tom Izzo to get a big man out of the portal for the last few years. It remains to be seen if Zapala fits fan expectations.