Utah Basketball Signs F Norbert Thelissen From Netherlands
Jul 27, 2020, 3:57 PM
Utah Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak talks with reporters during media day in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah men’s basketball program announced on Monday that they have signed forward Norbert Thelissen from the Netherlands.
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Thelissen will be eligible for the 2021-22 season due to NCAA rules. He spent the last two-plus seasons with Heroes Den Bosch, making his debut in 2017. The ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherland native appeared in 19 games during the last two seasons.
Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak released the following statement on Monday.
We'd like to officially welcome Norbert Thelissen from 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands🇳🇱 to the Utah Basketball family! 🙌#GoUtes🏀🔴 https://t.co/Pr0pQTBVLW
— Utah Basketball🏀 (at 🏡) (@UtahMBB) July 27, 2020
“Norbert’s combination of experience, skill, athleticism and high basketball IQ really stood out to us,” Krystkowiak said. “We are very excited and grateful for his belief in our program and decision to play college ball rather than the professional route in Europe. Due to our current NCAA rules, Norbert will not be eligible for competition until fall of 2021.”
Thelissen played for his international team at the FIBA U20 European Championships. In Portugal, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in eight games while shooting 74 percent.
“We hate to lose Norbert in our organization,” said Roel Van de Graaf, Sports Director for Heroes Den Bosch. “He was an amateur but always acted as a professional on and off the court. He has reached his potential and the Utah coaching staff and Andy Hill in particular did a great job in informing Norbert and his family. The style of play where the kids share the ball and create options for each other is a style Norbert is used to at Heroes Den Bosch. Again, we hate to see him go but we are proud he will be joining the University of Utah.”
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
