Maryland signs Arizona State transfer forward Pavlo Dziuba

Maryland added another piece to the 2021-2022 men's basketball roster Tuesday, with the school announcing the signing of Arizona State transfer forward Pavlo Dziuba.

“We are excited to welcome Pavlo to our program from Arizona State, where he was one of the youngest players in Division I men’s basketball last season,” Maryland head coach coach Mark Turgeon said in a statement. “Pavlo has tremendous upside and possesses the size and skill to significantly bolster our frontcourt. We look forward to him joining us in College Park.”

A 6-8, 225-pound forward from Kirichkova, Ukraine, Dziuba appeared in eight games last season at Arizona State as a freshman, averaging 0.4 points and 0.3 rebounds per game.

Dziuba, who turns 18 in early July, was believed to be the youngest player in Division I college basketball last season. Initially a member of the 2021 class, Dziuba reclassified up to the 2020 class following a strong showing at the FIBA U16 Division B European Championships in August of 2019, where he averaged 13.8 points (.545 FG), 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Dziuba also spent time with FC Barcelona’s U18 team during the 2019-20 season.

“This is a great pickup for Maryland,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla. “Pavlo was one of the best 16-year-olds in Europe as evidenced by being part of Barcelona’s famous club program. He will join the Terps as an 18-year-old with size, skill, strength and athleticism. He has a very bright college basketball future.”

Dziuba becomes the fourth scholarship transfer to join the Terps this offseason, along with Qudus Wahab (Georgetown), Fatts Russell (Rhode Island) and Ian Martinez (Utah).