GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- University of North Dakota head men's basketball coach Paul Sather announced the addition of Tsotne Tsartsidze to the program beginning in the 2021-22 season. The forward will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. 

"Tsotne was the starting post for one of the best junior college programs in the country and will make an immediate impact for our basketball program," said Sather. "He's got great size with soft hands, good feet, and a skill set that allows him to score both inside and out. He plays with a great motor, active on the glass, high effort on defense and will get out and run the floor hard. Tsotne is a high academic student that will be pursuing a degree in business here at UND."

Tsartsidze spent the 2020-21 season at the College of Southern Idaho, helping the Golden Eagles advance to the second round of the NJCAA National Tournament with a 21-4 record and a conference title. While at CSI, he finished fourth in scoring (7.3) while pacing the team in rebounding (5.7), blocked shots (0.9) and field goal percentage (.553) in just under 24 minutes of action. 

His best game came in a 79-70 victory over Utah State Eastern on March 6, scoring 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting while pulling down 14 rebounds to secure the double-double. Tsartsidze also led the team in scoring in a road win over fellow transfer Matt Norman's Snow College squad, striking for 13 points and six boards. 

Prior to his year at CSI, Tsartsidze played his freshman season at Howard College in Texas, where he started 25 games for the Hawks. He averaged just over six points and four rebounds per game while adding an assist and just under a block per contest. 

A native of the Republic of Georgia, Tsartsidze moved to Modesto, Calif. to play his prep career at Modesto Christian High School. There, he averaged 11 points, seven rebounds and 2.5 blocks during his senior year to earn first team all-league and all-defensive honors. Over his time at Modesto Christian, Tsartsidze helped his team claim two section titles and three regional finals. 

For more information on North Dakota men's basketball, follow on social media @UNDmbasketball or check out FightingHawks.com.