BISMARCK, ND (UMary Athletics) – University of Mary Head Coach Joe Kittell announces today the signing of Davids Atelbauers an NCAA Division I transfer from the University of North Dakota. This last season, Atelbauers saw action in 25 games, scored a season-high 12 points and dished out four assists in a win over North Central. He also played a season-best 26 minutes and recorded the game-winning stop at Nebraska. Atelbauers, an Ogre, Latvia, native, also spent last summer playing for the Latvia National Team in the FIBA U20/21 European Championship. Atelbauers led Latvia in scoring at 15.9 pointers per game shooting 35 percent from the three-point arch.
As a freshmen for UND, Atelbauers started seven games and is one of only three rookies to start at least one game for the Hawks. He knocked down a pair of triples in the opening half to tally eight points against No. 10 Kentucky, and became the first freshman in the DI era to start at point guard on opening night for UND.
“We are very excited to sign a player with Davids talent and experience,” said Kittell. “He played in a great NCAA Division I conference and has valuable experience playing in the top tournaments in Europe. I believe he will be an impactful player immediately for us.”
Coach Kittell mentions his relationships with the current and former staffs at UND being a key to the signing, as well has the University of Mary’s premier School of Engineering.
“Davids is a very serious student pursuing Civil Engineering which was nonnegotiable in his recruitment, and we can offer a great engineering program with new facilities that will open in August on campus. So, I think he felt comfortable with us because of those very strong academic offerings and the relationships we have with his former and current coaches.”
According to Proballers.com, Atelbauers played 26 games for Ogre during the 2017-2018 season. He also played for the Latvia Youth National Team, and led their team in scoring three different seasons. Atelbauers became a five-time All-Star for the Latvian Youth Basketball League.
This signing completes the UMary Men’s Basketball 2020 Recruiting Class:
Cooper Olson – 6’7 – Freshmen – Champlin Park High School (MN)
Tony Dahl – 6’3 – Freshmen – Buffalo High School (MN)
Deven Franks – 6’1 – Freshmen – Castell High School (AZ)
Kam Warrens – 6’5 – Junior – Yuba Community College (CA)
Davids Atelbauers – 6’1 – Junior – University of North Dakota – Ogre, Latvia
