Saints sign Icelandic forward
Sveinn Birgisson becomes third international player in 2022-23 incoming class
The Siena men’s basketball roster continues to become more global.
Siena coach Carmen Maciariello announced Wednesday the addition of 6-foot-7 wing/forward Sveinn Birgisson of Reykjavik, Iceland, for the 202223 season. He has signed his letter of intent and will enroll at Siena this summer.
“Sveinn is a skilled, multi-positional wing who has a high basketball IQ and tremendous work ethic,” Maciariello said in a news release. “He adds shooting, length, and athleticism to our roster.”
In a text, Maciariello said he discovered Birgisson through former Siena star Kenny Hasbrouck. Pablo Bertone, a former professional teammate of Hasbrouck, now plays with Birgisson on Valur, a team in Iceland’s top league.
Birgisson chose Siena over La Salle.
“I just saw that he signed,” Hasbrouck texted. “He played with Bertone in Iceland and said that he was a great teammate with a very bright future. I don’t know much about him besides that he’s a 6’8 athletic wing. I hope he can help us out for years to come!”
Birgisson is the sixth player, and third overseas recruit, in the Saints’ incoming recruiting class. They will all be freshmen.
Birgisson joins point guard Zach Tekin of Turkey, preferred walk-on forward Killian Gribben of Ireland, Fort Wayne, Ind. shooting guard Michael Eley, and Section II products Brendan Coyle (Colonie High) and Mason Courtney (Shenendehowa), who are both preferred walk-ons.
Siena has officially announced all except Eley, whose paperwork is still being completed.
Siena has one scholarship still available for next season.
Birgisson is in his first season playing for Valur. He has averaged 3.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.8 minutes over 23 games this season. Birgisson attended South Iceland College. Birgisson has previously represented the Icelandic National Team at both the 2019 FIBA U18 and 2018 FIBA U16 European Championships. He averaged 7.1 points, 4.8 rebounds. 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and shot 39 percent from 3point range over 25.4 minutes in eight games at the 2019 Championships.