St. Joe’s adds 6-8 playmaker from Poland to 2021 signing class

Kacper Klaczek could give the Hawks another big forward who showcases a lot of versatility in his game.

St. Joe’s head coach Billy Lange had success with putting the ball in freshman Jordan Hall's hands last season.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer

Published Apr. 27, 2021, 4:50 p.m. ET

Signing a big, playmaking forward turned out well for St. Joseph’s last season, so the Hawks are doing it again.

St. Joe’s announced the addition of 6-foot-8 forward Kacper Klaczek to its 2021 signing class. Klaczek is a native of Chrzow, Poland, but he has spent the last two years in New York competing with Long Island Lutheran.

Klaczek was a key part of Poland’s silver-medal finish at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Division B Championship. He averaged 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in eight games. Most notably, he finished with a positive plus-minus in each game while averaging 23.4 minutes.

“Kacper has a passionate personality and a fierce competitive spirit that will remind our loyal and long time fans of former Hawk great Dmitri Domani,” Hawks coach Billy Lange said in a statement. “Kacper played point guard for most of his international basketball journey and hit a major growth spurt the last three years that has seen him evolve into an athletic playmaker. ... We are excited to welcome Kacper to Hawk Hill!”

St. Joe’s hit the ground running for its 2021 class with guard Erik Reynolds, who is the Hawks’ highest-rated recruit since 2010. Things went quiet for a while, but Klaczek is the second incoming freshman of the four-man class. Transfers Ejike Obinna and Charles Coleman have changed the outlook of the projected frontcourt.

The Hawks had their most depth on the wing last season, and that shouldn’t change. Most of last season’s key players are projected to return, which will allow for Klaczek to grow and work his way into the rotation.