The Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball program just got a whole lot taller. According to a report from Weave, head coach Randy Bennett has landed a major commitment from Filip Malesevic, a 7-foot-1 Serbian big man. (Some scouting services even list him at 7-2 or 7-3, so let's just say he's a giant on the court.)
Malesevic is currently playing professionally for FMP Beograd, where he's been logging between 8 and 11 minutes per game over his last four outings, averaging six points. While those numbers might not jump off the page, his sheer size and potential make him an intriguing addition to a roster that Bennett has been deliberately building up front.
This commitment is just the latest piece of a busy offseason for ASU. The Sun Devils have also been aggressive in the transfer portal, which has now closed. As of last week, 247Sports ranked ASU's class 10th overall in the nation and first in the Big 12—a statement of intent for a program looking to make noise in its new conference.
Two of the most notable transfer newcomers are familiar faces for Bennett: Paulius Murauskas and Dillan Shaw, both of whom played for him at Saint Mary's. Murauskas, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Lithuania, averaged an impressive 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, earning him a spot among the top 10 players in the portal by multiple recruiting services. Shaw, a 6-foot-7 small forward, chipped in with 7.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
With Malesevic joining the fold, ASU's frontcourt is suddenly looking formidable. For fans and gear enthusiasts alike, this is a season to watch—and to suit up for. The Sun Devils are stacking talent, and the buzz in Tempe is real.
