The Michigan State Spartans have one scholarship left for the 2024-25 season with a hole to fill in the frontcourt. With Mady Sissoko transferring to Cal, Tom Izzo needed to add depth at center. It appears that Izzo got his man.
According to Rhode Island men’s basketball color Chris DiSano, Longwood transfer Szymon Zapala will don the Spartan green and white this fall. DiSano said that URI and Wichita State were also major players in the recruitment of the 7-foot, 240-pound center, but it came down to the fact that the Spartans could offer more NIL money.
Hearing Szymon Zapala appears headed for Michigan State… URI and Wichita St. were right there, coming down to P5 NIL advantages. Rams remain in mix for other bigs and swing types.
— Chris DiSano (@CDiSano44) May 13, 2024
Michigan State Reportedly Favorite To Land 7-foot Center
Cory Linser of Spartans Wire reported that Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and VCU were also recruiting Zapala.
Zapala, a Polish native, played at Utah State for the first three seasons of his career before landing at Longwood. He has one year of eligibility.
After playing sparingly at Utah State, Zapala was part of the regular rotation at Longwood. Zapala averaged 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds (2.3 offensive) in 16.8 minutes over 35 appearances, including 24 starts.
While Zapala’s numbers may look mediocre this past season, they don’t tell the whole story. The truth is Zapala was highly efficient, making 64.2% of his shots, and demonstrated the ability to “get his” when he was able to “eat.”
Zapala produced four double-doubles and scored in double-figures 16 times, topping the 20-point mark twice. His best game came against St. Bonaventure in the season opener as he tallied 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting from the floor and 4 of 5 from the free throw line, 11 rebounds (seven offensive), and one block in 20 minutes.
Zapala is a big center with long arms and good hands. Zapala possesses outstanding footwork, good post moves, and a soft touch. While Zapala is adequate in pick-n-roll situations, he thrives on the boards and can alter shots.
How Does Zapala Fit With The Spartans?
Zapala would likely step in immediately and start for the Spartans. The center position was a significant point of contention for the Spartans this offseason, as Spartan Shadows detailed:
Probably the biggest offseason topic for Michigan State is focused on the center position. The weakest link for a team with national title aspirations last year.
The Spartans only have four bigs on the roster: Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, Xavier Booker, and freshman Jesse McCulloch.
Kohler has seen just 10 minutes of action over his first two collegiate seasons. Meanwhile, Cooper saw extensive action, starting eight games last year while averaging 3.4 points on 53.3% shooting and 4.4 caroms. Cooper is a solid rebounder and shot-blocker but not the offensive threat that Zapala is.
Booker was a top-15 consensus recruit in 2023. However, the 6-11, 220-pounder is more of a power forward than center. Booker struggled last season, compiling 3.7 points and 1.7 caroms while posting a shooting slash line of .439/.333/.632. He did score in double figures twice despite not seeing more than 18 minutes of action, so there is some potential.
McCulloch is a 6-9, 190-pound three-star center out of Cleveland (OH).
Michigan State went 20-15 this past season, including 10-10 in the Big Ten, marking the third straight season the Spartans have won two and ten contests. The Spartans lost their top three scorers from this past season, though they still have six consensus top 100 recruits in their respective classes returning.
Izzo brought in 6-7 Omaha transfer Frankie Fidler. He also signed two of 247Sports Top 100 recruits, in guards Jase Richardson and Kur Teng. Richardson is the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson.
