Utah Lands Commitment From JUCO Forward Zati Loubaki
Nov 9, 2025, 1:16 PM | Updated: Nov 10, 2025, 8:30 am
JUCO forward Zati Loubaki on an official visit to the University of Utah. Photo courtesy of Zati Loubaki
SALT LAKE CITY— The future of the Utah men’s basketball frontcourt just got an upgrade as junior-college forward Zati Loubaki from Trinity Valley Community College has pledged his next chapter to Alex Jensen and the Utes.
Loubaki was named the William French Most Valuable Player at the 2025 NJCAA DI Men’s Basketball Championship. He held offers from two other programs, Cincinnati and Western Kentucky.
He recently officially visited Utah, and announced his decision on Sunday via X: “100% committed ‼️❤️ Let’s work Utes Nations!!!”
100% committed ‼️❤️ Let’s work Utes Nations !!! pic.twitter.com/Phua2SKbpD
— Zati Loubaki 🇫🇷 (@zatilbk6) November 9, 2025
Who is Zati Loubaki?
Hailing from Nojent-sur-Oise, France, Loubaki came stateside to join Trinity Valley. As a freshman in the 2024-25 season he averaged 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 52.8% from the floor and 31.6% from three.
He helped lead TVCC to the 2025 NJCAA DI Men’s Basketball Championship. Loubaki was named the Most Valuable Player, after averaging 15.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the national tournament.
At 6-foot-8, 215 pounds Loubaki possesses legitimate size, mobility, and an international pedigree. He brings the kind of versatile profile that Jensen, Wes Wilcox and the rest of Utah’s coaching staff seem to be prioritizing in their roster building.
Loubaki also possesses experience in the Overtime Elite (OTE) league, as well as international experience in France.
2026 Trinity Valley 6’9 F Zati Loubaki (@zatilbk6) will take an official visit to the University of Utah this weekend.
Loubaki was named NJCAA D1 National Tournament MVP & was a Fab 50 Frosh last season.
— JucoRecruiting.com (@JucoRecruiting) October 31, 2025
The Fit with Alex Jensen and Utah basketball
Loubaki slots directly into what Jensen has been trying to prioritize: athleticism, versatility, and players who can be molded into reliable two-way contributors.
At 6-foot-8 with length and real physical upside, he gives Utah a forward who can guard up a position, switch onto wings, and still space the floor when needed. Utah’s added another versatile forward athletic and physical enough to defend multiple positions, while also skilled enough to scoring inside and out.
Loubaki needs refinement but the natural ability is all there. The most important piece is developmental alignment. Jensen’s program isn’t built on shortcuts. It’s built on players who want to work, get better, and refine their skill base day-to-day.
That matters in the Big 12, where every night is a matchup against layered ball screens, strong drivers, and physical frontcourts.
For Jensen’s rebuild—this commitment signals continued progress in his vision.
