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AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University men's basketball team and head coach Dip Metress announced the signing of Robert Bärlund to a National Letter of Intent in the early signing period. The 6-8 incoming freshman center from Lahti, Finland will join the Jaguars in 2018-19 season.
Name: Robert Bärlund
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward / Center
Height: 6-8
Weight: 209
Hometown / Previous School: Lahti, Finland / Tiirismaa School
"Robert is a team oriented guy who doesn't care who gets the credit or who looks good in the stats," Metress said. "Robert played in the under 20 European Championship last year and will be participating this year as well for his home country."
Bärlund attended classes at Lahden Lyseo and Tiirismaa School for his high school career in his hometown of Lahti and graduated in 2017. He has also competed with the Lahti National Junior Basketball team since 2013. Bärlund played on the under 16, 18, and 20 teams for Finland. In the 2016-17 season, he paced the team in rebounds, blocks, and points and he averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg in 2017-18.
About Augusta Men's Basketball
The Augusta University men's basketball team is led by head coach Dip Metress. On May 10, 2004, Metress was introduced as the fifth head coach in program history. He previously led the Belmont Abbey Crusaders (1996-04) and was an assistant for the Jaguars under Clint Bryant (1989-95). He has never had a losing season in his 14 seasons at the helm of the Jaguars. A two-time Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year, Metress and the Jags hosted five straight NCAA Regional Tournaments from 2007-11 and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight three seasons in a row. He was named the South Atlantic Coach of the Year in 2007, the Southeast Region Coach of the Year in 2009, and the NABC Southeast District Coach of the Year in 2011.
Augusta men's hoops has retired four numbers in its 52-year history: Ben Madgen (1), Keshun Sherrill (10), Tyrekus 'AJ' Bowman (23), and Keenan Mann (32). The Jaguars have reached the NCAA tournament 11 times and won their region three times.
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