SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State head men's basketball coach David Patrick announced today that guard Alex Kovatchev has signed a National Letter of Intent, and will enroll at the University as a freshman.

Kovatchev, a native of Perth, Australia, is the sixth Hornet signee of the 2023-24 recruiting class born in a different country. That includes three from Australia, one from England, one from Canada, and one from Finland.

The Kovatchev file
• A 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard from Perth, Australia
• Born in Johannesburg, South Africa
• Played for Western Australia at both the U18 and U20 Australian Junior National Championships
• Helped Western Australia to the national championship at both those tournaments
• At the U20 National Championships, which took place in February, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 48% shooting from the field
• During the eight-game tournament, he scored 20+ points on three occasions
• That includes 20 points (9-of-14 FG), six rebounds and three assists in the team's final game of the tourney
• Played professionally for the Australian Centre of Excellence in the NBL1 East League in 2022
• Attended high school at Woodvale Secondary College in Perth
• Received a scholarship to The Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

Patrick quote - "We are thrilled that Alex has chosen to become a part of our Hornet basketball family. His athleticism on both sides of the ball will be an asset to our program. Alex's Australian national team experience will give him an opportunity to contribute immediately."