AMES, IA — Iowa State says basketball player Georgios Tsalmpouris is turning prom the Associated Press reported.
Tsalmpouris, a 7-foot-1 center from Katerini, Greece, was a late addition to the Cyclones roster last season.
Tsalmpouris was a project for former coach Fred Hoiberg. He played in just eight games as a freshman in 2014-15, averaging 1.4 points. The move was expected after Tsalmpouris returned to Greece this summer.
Tsalmpouris’s departure frees up a scholarship for new coach Steve Prohm, who will lose four key contributors following next season, the AP wrote.
As the Des Moines register reported earlier this year, upon Tsalmpouris’ arrival to the Cyclones, height is finally here.
“The Cyclones signed 7-foot-1 Greek center Giorgos Tsalmpouris on May 10. Tsalmpouris will play for the Greek national team this summer before joining Iowa State. It’s quite the relief for ISU, whose second-tallest player at the beginning of the upcoming season will still be 6-foot-7 Georges Niang (the Giorgos-Georges combination should be deadly for both opponents and broadcasters).
“However, Tsalmpouris will soon be getting help. Star 6-foot-9 JUCO forward Jameel McKay will likely be eligible in the second semester for the beginning of conference play, while fellow JUCO forward Darien Williams will sit out this year for shoulder surgery, but begin playing for the Cyclones in 2015-16.
“With a formidable frontcourt coming in, Iowa State has the opportunity to continue to be incredibly efficient on offense, with players who can score in the paint and from three. Georges Niang and Dustin Hogue are both solid players in the paint, but without Kane or some size coming in, the Cyclones’ offense figured to take a step back. If Tsalmpouris can contribute immediately, it might not skip a beat.”
The athletically-gifted Greek is bound to head to an NBA team soon.
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