7’1 Big Man Dorin Buca Commits to Kansas State Basketball

Kansas State just added some serious size to its 2025 roster.

Romanian center Dorin Buca, standing a towering 7-foot-1, has committed to the Wildcats, joining K-State with two years of NCAA eligibility.

In Italy’s Serie A2 League with Akern Libertas Livorno, he made a mark defensively, leading the league in block percentage and ranking among the top five rebounders. He posted averages of 5.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game across 16.7 minutes, proof that he knows how to impact games quickly. This week, he turns 23, an experienced rookie in NBA terms but a fresh face in college hoops.

K-State’s inclusion of Buca plugs a long-standing need at center, especially given the uncertainty around Tyreek Smith’s eligibility and the Wildcats’ recent focus on international talent. Buca joins a frontcourt group that already includes Marcus Johnson, Khamari McGriff, and Elias Rapieque, adding length and defensive instincts that fit well with Jerome Tang’s system.

Buca adds rim protection, rebounding, and size to a rotation that will need depth inside. At 7-1, he becomes the tallest player on the roster and gives K-State a prospect whose game aligns with modern defensive priorities.

He might be old for a freshman, but that also means he could make an impact immediately. In the Big 12, every inch counts, and Kansas State just gained a lot of them.