Duquesne Gets Commitment From Georgia Southern Transfer Andrei Savrasov

The Duquesne Dukes received a commitment today from a player that could have a big role on their 2023-24 team.

Last weekend, Georgia Southern transfer Andrei Savrasov made an official visit to Duquesne and today he informed Keith Dambrot that he wants to join their program.

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Savrasov is a 6-foot-8, 233-pound forward from St. Petersburg, Russia. Savrasov started his college career with Texas Tech, staying there for two seasons. He redshirted his first year and then only averaging 4 minutes per game in the 2019-20 season.

“When I took my visit to Duquesne, I met with the coaches, I met with the players and they were the main reason why I made the decision to pick Duquesne,” Savrasov said. “I know this word is used a lot, but from my first impression, they looked like, and it felt like family. I felt like coaches were straight forward with me and the players welcomed me into their program without me officially being a member yet.”

“The second thing was that Duquesne University, and the city of Pittsburgh is a really great spot. Duquesne plays in a really competitive and good conference. The A-10 I consider is a very high mid-major conference and a lot of really good teams play in that conference. After I took all of my visits, I felt picking Duquesne was a really easy decision. Before making the visit, I was hesitating and wasn’t sure, but after meeting the coaches and players, seeing the city and the University and seeing Duquesne’s facilities, it really was a no-brainer for me.”

Courtesy Georgia Southern

Savrasov then made the decision to transfer to Georgia Southern and has played there the last three seasons. This past season, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while shooting 49.8% from the field and 35.9% from 3-point range. During the 2021-22 season, Savrasov averaged 10.7 points, 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.6% from the field and 31.7% from 3-point range.

Savrasov will not only provide an instant scorer for Duquesne, including from 3-point range, but will also provide them help on the boards. Earlier this offseason, Duquesne added former LaSalle forwards Fousseyni and Hassan Drame, who along with Sabrasov really change the look and toughness of the Dukes frontcourt.

With his size, Savarasov can play the 3/4/5 spots which will give Duquesne tremendous versatility.

“The coaches told me from the beginning that see me as an impact guy,” Savrasov said. “They were looking for someone that can come and help the team win, someone with experience and skill, toughness and help the team making the NCAA Tournament. As a basketball player, I think I’m going to help this team a lot on the offensive side of the ball. I can score the ball on all three levels, I can rebound pretty well both offensively and defensively and I have the ability to find my open teammates. I believe I’m an all-around big. Before I arrived at Texas Tech, back home in Russia, I was playing guard and small forward a lot and when I got here, I transitioned more to forward. However, the skills that I developed earlier were really helpful and helped me become the player that I am today.”

This was an impressive get for Dambrot as the Dukes beat out Georgia Tech, Florida Atlantic and New Mexico, who were heavily pursuing Savrasov.

With Savrasov in the fold, look for Duquesne to pursue veteran help in the backcourt.

They are trying to land Utah Valley State transfer guard Letray Darthard, who they recently hosted on an official visit.

Last season with Utah Valley State, Darthard averaged 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 42.5% from the field and 35.6% from 3-point range. The previous two seasons, he shot an impressive 37.6% and 47.1% from beyond the arc.