Georgios Tsalmpouris, a 7-foot-1 center out of Greece, has officially signed an LoI with Iowa State.
“Georgios gives us another big man that is able to run the floor and shoot the ball,” Fred Hoiberg said via a press release Monday morning. “He fits with how we want to play while giving us more length. I’m looking forward to helping him continue to develop as a basketball player.”
Tsalmpouris verbally committed to the Cyclones a little over a week ago. He is a standard four-year high school prospect that just happens to come from overseas. Tsalmpouris will be elgible to play for the Cyclones next season. Right now, the plan is for Tsalmpouris to play with the Greek National Team during the summer months and arrive in Ames shortly before the 2014-15 academic year begins.
“As an elementary school student in Greece I started playing basketball having a dream, a big dream, for a country boy from a small rural town named Katerini.” Tsalmpouris said. “I hoped that one day I would be able to cross the Atlantic Ocean and playing basketball at a big university. Today I feel blessed because my dream came true on the best possible scenario. I am joining the Iowa State basketball team. I am so grateful to Coach Hoiberg and Coach Abdelmassih who recruited me and gave me the opportunity to learn from the best and contribute to the future success of the Iowa State basketball program.”
According to the release, Tsalmpouris, who will turn 18 on June 22, averaged 27 points, 17 rebounds, 10 blocks and three assists for his under-17 regional team.
Click on the YouTube video below for highlights from his high school career. For more on Iowa State’s recruitment of Tsalmpouris, CLICK HERE to read what was written on the day that he committed.
As of now, Iowa State has one scholarship remaining for the 2014-15 season but we fully expect Oregon State transfer Hallice Cooke (three years of eligibility) to fill that spot as soon as this afternoon.
