MBB | Gaels Add Greek National Vangelis Zougris as First Portal Signing of 2026
4/21/2026 3:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — Transfer portal season number one of the Mickey McConnell era is underway at Saint Mary's, as Coach McConnell has added his first student-athlete out of the portal in the form of 6-8 forward Vangelis Zougris. Zougris spent last season at Louisville, earning a starting role late in the season.
"Zou brings us toughness and physicality that has long been a staple in our frontcourt," noted McConnell, "His experience both at the international level and at Louisville established him as a key target for us. He fits exactly what we're trying to do and will provide an immediate impact for our team."
A rising senior, Zougris spent his lone season of college basketball in the ACC with Louisville. There, he appeared in 27 of a possible 35 games, starting each of the final six, including both the of the Cardinals' ACC Tournament games, and both of their NCAA Tournament games. A force on the interior, Zougris shot 57% from the field, including a 4-5 clip in the ACC Tournament and a 7-10 clip in the Big Dance. Arguably his two biggest games at Louisville came during March Madness, going for six points and six boards in the opening round win over South Florida, followed by eight points on 4-5 shooting in a narrow loss to Michigan State.
Originally from Peristeri, Greece, Zougris spent four years prior to his time at Louisville playing for Peristeri Athens of the Greek Basketball League. He appeared in 86 contests for his senior club, shooting 64% from the field in that time. In his final season before coming to America, Zougris put together a breakout campaign, averaging 7.9 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 69% from the field as one of the team's starting bigs. He helped his team to the GBL Quarterfinals and to the Basketball Champions League Play-Ins that year.
Zougris has also represented his home nation at numerous levels, including his first appearance for the Senior Greek National Team in 2025. In 2023, he led the U20 Greek National Team to a bronze medal finish at the U20 European Championship, averaging 14 PPG and 11 RPG to earn a first team all-tournament nod, and repeated that effort in a bronze medal finish in the 2024 U20 European Championship, averaging 12 PPG and 8 RPG. In five contests with the senior national team, he has averaged 5 PPG and 6 RPG.
Zougris joins a front court for Head Coach Mickey McConnell that will also feature redshirt junior big man Jazz Gardner, who was retained from last year's roster.
#GaelsRise
"Zou brings us toughness and physicality that has long been a staple in our frontcourt," noted McConnell, "His experience both at the international level and at Louisville established him as a key target for us. He fits exactly what we're trying to do and will provide an immediate impact for our team."
A rising senior, Zougris spent his lone season of college basketball in the ACC with Louisville. There, he appeared in 27 of a possible 35 games, starting each of the final six, including both the of the Cardinals' ACC Tournament games, and both of their NCAA Tournament games. A force on the interior, Zougris shot 57% from the field, including a 4-5 clip in the ACC Tournament and a 7-10 clip in the Big Dance. Arguably his two biggest games at Louisville came during March Madness, going for six points and six boards in the opening round win over South Florida, followed by eight points on 4-5 shooting in a narrow loss to Michigan State.
Originally from Peristeri, Greece, Zougris spent four years prior to his time at Louisville playing for Peristeri Athens of the Greek Basketball League. He appeared in 86 contests for his senior club, shooting 64% from the field in that time. In his final season before coming to America, Zougris put together a breakout campaign, averaging 7.9 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 69% from the field as one of the team's starting bigs. He helped his team to the GBL Quarterfinals and to the Basketball Champions League Play-Ins that year.
Zougris has also represented his home nation at numerous levels, including his first appearance for the Senior Greek National Team in 2025. In 2023, he led the U20 Greek National Team to a bronze medal finish at the U20 European Championship, averaging 14 PPG and 11 RPG to earn a first team all-tournament nod, and repeated that effort in a bronze medal finish in the 2024 U20 European Championship, averaging 12 PPG and 8 RPG. In five contests with the senior national team, he has averaged 5 PPG and 6 RPG.
Zougris joins a front court for Head Coach Mickey McConnell that will also feature redshirt junior big man Jazz Gardner, who was retained from last year's roster.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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