VIDEO: Florida Tech Basketball Recruit Mate Papai Has Strong Showing For Hungary at U-20 Euros

By  //  July 28, 2017

Papai averaged 4.3 points, 5.1 rebounds per game

ABOVE VIDEO: New Florida Tech Panther signee Mate Papai finished his run with the U-20 Hungarian National Team in the European Championships in Romania with a 78-53 win over Kosovo to claim the 11th place spot in the event.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – On Sunday, newly signed Florida Tech Panther, Mate Papai, finished his run with the U-20 Hungarian National Team in the European Championships in Romania with a 78-53 win over Kosovo to claim the 11th place spot in the event.

Papai had an impressive showing in the championships, helping his Hungarian side to a 5-3 record by averaging 4.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game over the eight games he played.

The Budapest, Hungary product had his best game of the tournament scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds against eventual runner-up Croatia back in the group stages.

This was the fourth time that Papai has represented his country in the European Championships, competing on the U-18 level in both 2015 and 2016, and on the U-16 level in 2014.

“I’m very proud of Mate for once again being chosen to represent his country on the international level,” stated Florida Tech head coach Billy Mims.

Papai had an impressive showing in the championships, helping his Hungarian side to a 5-3 record by averaging 4.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game over the eight games he played.

“The European Championships have given Mate a chance to compete at one of the highest levels of the game in the world. There is no doubt that will be great preparation for him and his career in the NCAA’s very tough and talented Sunshine State Conference over the next four years.”

Former Florida Tech All-American and all-time leading scorer, Justin Sedlak, represented Slovakia on the international level in the European Championships from the U-16 level all the way up to the senior men’s level.

Current Panther and rising sophomore shooting guard, Antonis Pefanis, represented Greece in the U-18 World Championships in Dubai, and was the leading scorer for his nation in the prestigious event.

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Space Coast Daily Sports Talk With Alan Zlotorzynski – July 25, 2017Related Story:
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Space Coast Daily Sports Talk With Alan Zlotorzynski – July 25, 2017

In a text message to Coach Mims at the end of the competition, Papai stated, “Thank you Coach Mims for your support during the European Championships. I’m a little bit disappointed because of the losses we had in the championship, but that is motivating me.”

” Now I know I have to work even harder than before. I’m really excited about coming to school next month, and I cannot wait to meet with you and the other players in Florida Tech.”

CLICK HERE FOR FLORIDA TECH SPORTS