Underwood signs Dutch 7-footer

OSU Media Relations

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State basketball coach Brad Underwood has announced the signing of Dutch seven-footer Lucas N’Guessan.

N’Guessan (7-0, 215, Fr., F/C, De Lier, Netherlands) comes to OSU from the same school in Spain that produced former Cowboy Marek Soucek, Canarias Basketball Academy. In fact, N’Guessan and Soucek will wear the same No. 14 jersey.

“I’m very excited to have Lucas at Oklahoma State because he is a very big piece of the puzzle that our team just did not have,” Underwood said. “He obviously has legitimate size at 7-foot, but along with that size is some athleticism and an ability to protect the rim. He will need to get stronger, but athletically, he’s very gifted. He has a unique ability to see the timing of the game, which makes him a great shot blocker. He fits a big hole in our roster and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Lucas. You’re going to see a young man that will continue to progress as he gains experience in the United States.”

N’Guessan has experience playing internationally with the Netherlands. He represented his country at the 2015 U18 FIBA Championships, where he averaged 3.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in just over 13 minutes per game.

He also blocked five shots in the group-play stage of the tournament, and posted a 12-rebound performance in just 20 minutes of action against Belgium. Against Belarus, N’Guessan posted 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting and two blocks in just 15 minutes.

“I am very excited to be at Oklahoma State and represent the Cowboys,” N’Guessan said. “My time in Spain at Canarias really helped prepare me for basketball at a high level, and got me ready for college. OSU had everything I was looking for in a college, and I’m excited to play for coach Underwood.”

In the Netherlands, N’Guessan helped his U16 Lokomotief Ryswyk squad win the national championship in 2013 prior to spending the next three seasons in Spain.

A native of De Lier, Netherlands, N’Guessan speaks four languages fluently.