Michigan State picks up veteran 7-footer via transfer portal
Michigan State is continuing to remake the roster for the 2024-25 season. After bypassing the transfer portal a year ago, Tom Izzo and his staff used it to add another piece this offseason.
The player is Szymon Zapala, a veteran 7-footer from Poland. Zapala most recently played for Longwood after beginning his career at Utah State in the 2020 recruiting class.
Thrilled to announce my commitment to Michigan State University! Proud to be a Spartan! Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/LkRyAHw305
— Szymon Zapala (@szymon_zapala) May 14, 2024
After 45 appearances in 3 seasons at Utah State, Zapala appeared in 35 games (24 starts) during his lone season at Longwood. He shot 62.9% from the floor while averaging 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds for the year.
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Michigan State’s roster breakdown
The addition of Zapala fills the biggest remaining need for Michigan State’s roster. Mady Sissoko departed the program via the transfer portal, and the Spartans were still in need of a big man for the year ahead.
It’s still unclear if Zapala is an upgrade from Sissoko, but he brings verified size to the roster. A season ago, Sissoko was part of a big man rotation that included Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler. Cooper and Kohler will need to continue developing and taking steps next season, but Zapala fills the spot with more experience than that duo.
Michigan State also added a potential impact scorer from the portal in former Nebraska Omaha forward Frankie Fidler. A 6-foot-7 scorer who averaged 20 points per game last season, Fidler is a plug-and-play scorer with the ability to fill it up.
Ultimately, Michigan State’s success next season likely depends on Fidler’s scoring ability translating to the Big Ten and the development of former 5-star forward Xavier Booker to go with Jaden Akins. Coen Carr, Tre Holloman and Jeremy Fears are other players to watch for a big jump next season.
MSU is losing its top 3 scorers from last year’s team, and that opens up a big opportunity for younger players entering the 2024-25 season. However, it leaves the Spartans with many questions at this point in the process.
We’ll see if the transfer pieces hit or if Izzo is forced back to the drawing board next year.