A new face in Manhattan
Kansas State announced the addition of Tzoana Tampakou to its 2026‑27 roster, a move that underscores the program’s expanding global reach. The 6‑5 center, who grew up in Greece, will arrive on campus after a stint with the national youth team that competed in multiple European tournaments.
During the 2025 FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket Division B, Tampakou logged 6.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game across seven appearances, ranking eleventh in the tournament for rebounds. Her most recent outing produced a double‑double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, highlighting her ability to dominate the glass.
She also contributed to Greece’s third‑place finish at the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B, where she averaged 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in three games. The Wildcats will now benefit from a player who has experienced high‑level international competition and brings a blend of offensive firepower and defensive presence.
A deep and diverse roster
The upcoming season will see the Wildcats field a squad that includes athletes from the United States, Belgium, France, Greece, Slovenia and Spain. In addition to Tampakou, the team returns seven letterwinners who together accounted for 74 percent of assists, 55 percent of points and 52 percent of rebounds last year, providing continuity and experience.
Head coach Jeff Mittie, who has guided the program for several years, emphasized the strategic value of the new additions. ‘We’re building a team that can compete at the highest level, and Tzoana’s size, work ethic and basketball IQ fit perfectly into that vision,’ he said.