LOGAN, Utah – Utah State head men’s basketball coach Craig Smith announced the addition of Ben Fakira, a 6-foot-10 center from Sydney, Australia, possessing a wing span of more than seven feet.
Fakira was the team captain at Barker College last season where he averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, while shooting 60 percent from the floor and earning team MVP honors. Fakira was the team captain of the NSW Metro squad that captured a third-place finish at the U18 Australian Championships and the captain of his Northern Suburbs Basketball Association’s team that put together an undefeated regular season and finished second in the state. He also represented Australia during the 2015 FIBA Oceania Tournament, guiding his team to a gold medal in the U16 championship game.
“We are pumped to announce Ben Fakira will be joining the Utah State Basketball family,” Smith said. “Ben has great character and a fantastic work ethic. He is a talented big man and at 6-10, 260 pounds, moves extremely well and has a high skill level. Ben has a motor and plays with physicality. He has tremendous feel for the game and really knows how to play.”
Fakira will have four years of eligibility when he steps on campus for the 2018-19 season.
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