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7/18/2008 9:47 AM

srpatterson

Joined: 2/6/2007

Posts: 747

C Zisis Sarikopoulos (United States)

Men's basketball: OSU adds 7-foot center who's transferring from UAB

Friday, July 18, 2008 5:43 AM

Zisis Sarikopoulos, a 7-foot, 265-pound center from Athens, Greece, is transferring to Ohio State from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, OSU coach Thad Matta said yesterday.

Sarikopoulos will sit out the 2008-09 season and will have three seasons of eligibility. He appeared in 20 games, starting four, last season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds for the Blazers (23-11).

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/07/18/osubb.html?sid=101

7/18/2008 9:49 AM

srpatterson

Joined: 2/6/2007

Posts: 747

Re: C Zisis Sarikopoulos (United States)

Center Sarikopoulos transfers from UAB to Ohio State

Associated Press

Updated: July 17, 2008, 8:57 PM ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Seven-foot center Zisis Sarikopoulos has transferred from UAB to Ohio State, Buckeyes coach Thad Matta announced Thursday.

Sarikopoulos, a native of Greece, must sit out the 2008-09 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Sarikopoulos played in 20 games at UAB last season, averaging 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds.

The Buckeyes lost freshman center Kosta Koufos to the NBA draft.

The 7-foot Koufos, who was born in the U.S. but played for the Greek national 18-and-under team last summer, averaged 14.4 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Buckeyes, who won the NIT last season. He was drafted 23rd overall by the Utah Jazz.

7/18/2008 9:50 AM

srpatterson

Joined: 2/6/2007

Posts: 747

Re: C Zisis Sarikopoulos (United States)

7-Footer Zisis Sarikopoulos Transfers to OSU

[Print]
By Chris - July 17th, 2008 |
Filed Under Hoops, OSU

Zisis: Taller than Spike Lee

In a somewhat surprising announcement, Thad Matta revealed today that seven footer Zisis Sarikopoulos has transferred from UAB to Ohio State.

Prior to joining UAB as a freshman last season, the big man led the 2007 Greek Under-18 national team to a second place finish in the Euro Championships.

According to the press release, Michael Jordan selected Zisis as the MVP of Greece inviting him to play in the 2007 Jordan Brand Classic.

Last season at UAB, he averaged just 1.8 points and 1.1 boards in 20 games (4 starts).

The addition surprises me as I thought Thad was okay with potentially sacrificing the last available ‘08 scholarship to the NCAA gods but maybe grabbing a big to help replace BJ Mullens in 2009-10 was too hard to pass up. I’ll be interested to learn how this all came about as I admittedly have no idea.

He’ll have a year to bulk up and polish his skills but I’m still not sure what I think of this just yet. What’s your initial take? Good move or bad move?

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2008/07/7-footer-zisis-sarikopoulos-transfers-to-osu.html

7/18/2008 9:51 AM

srpatterson

Joined: 2/6/2007

Posts: 747

Re: C Zisis Sarikopoulos (United States)

College basketball

OSU adds transfer:

Filling the only scholarship remaining for the Class of 2009, for now, Ohio State added 7-0, 265-pound Alabama-Birmingham transfer Zisis Sarikopoulos on Thursday.

He appeared in 20 games for the Blazers last season, averaging fewer than 2 points per game and is obviously a project men's basketball coach Thad Matta hopes will pay off in a few years. A native of Athens, Greece, Sarikopoulos will sit out the 2008-09 season before having three years of eligibility remaining.

Ohio State now has the maximum of 13 players on scholarship for the coming season, with no seniors on the team. But 7-0 incoming freshman B.J. Mullens is a candidate to leave for the NBA after one season, which would create an opening.

- Doug Lesmerises

7/18/2008 9:51 AM

srpatterson

Joined: 2/6/2007

Posts: 747

Re: C Zisis Sarikopoulos (United States)

Zisis Sarikopoulos Trnsfers to Ohio State

July 18th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized

Zisis
Zisis Sarikopoulos, a Greek national from Athens has been landed by the Ohio State University. At a massive 7 feet, Sarikopoulos is a good find for Ohio. He used to play for the University of Alabama-Birmingham last season. This Greek player will add a spark to the Ohio State lineup. Fans have already bought their tickets for the Ohio State University NCAA Basketball games, so get yours while they are available.

http://ncaabasketballreview.com/2008/07/18/zisis-sarikopoulos-trnsfers-to-ohio-state/

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