Alex Jensen’s deep international connections are coming in handy as the University of Utah secured another talent for its roster next season.
On Tuesday, the school announced that German forward Alex Anigbata is joining the Runnin’ Utes for the 2026-27 season. That comes one day after a report that Utah also landed European point guard Noam Yaacov.
Who is Alec Anigbata?
Anigbata is a 6-foot-8, 198-pound small forward from Munich, Germany, who, even at the age of 21, has several years of experience playing against pro and college-level talent.
He most recently played for Ratiopharm Ulm in the German Bundesliga, the highest level of competition in the German pro ranks.
Anigbata played in 57 career games for Ratiopharm Ulm, with 18 starts, and helped the team to a runner-up finish this past season while averaging 5.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.6 assists per game.
He shot 46% from the floor and 40% from 3-point range, as well as 66% at the free-throw line in his first full season with the Ulm.
“Alec has steadily developed here over the past three years and has become an integral part of the professional squad. Therefore, we have mixed feelings about this transfer,” Ratiopharm Ulm sporting director Thorsten Leibenath said in a statement regarding Anigbata’s departure on the team website.
“We are, of course, happy for him that he received such a financially attractive offer. At the same time, we would have liked to see him stay in the Ulm jersey for longer.”
During the 2024-25 season while playing for OrangeAcademy in the ProB league, Anigbata averaged 15.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
He also has German national team experience, playing as a member of the German U20 team at the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in 2024. Utah assistant coach Martin Schiller was the head coach of Germany’s U20 team at the tournament.
“I came here at 18 with the goal of establishing myself in professional basketball. Looking back, I can proudly say that I’ve achieved that,” Anigbata said in a team statement. “None of this would have been possible without the support of Ulm.
“I am very grateful to every single member of the club’s staff, my teammates, and everyone in charge. A special thank you also goes to our fans, who have always given me and the team such enthusiastic support.”
How does Alec Anigbata fit into Utah’s 2026-27 plans?
With a strong background playing against pro and college-aged competition in recent years, Anigbata will provide Utah the versatility to play both at the three and the four.
Anigbata brings a scoring punch to the Utes, and can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability.
Both Anigbata and Yaacov, one of the top European point guard prospects this cycle, should play key roles for Utah this upcoming season.
As it stands with what we know, the Utes have 15 players lined up for the roster next season, though that could change.
The men’s college basketball transfer window officially closes Tuesday night, and as of now, three scholarship players — forward Babacar Faye and guards Lucas Langarita and Obomate Abbey — and walk-on center Colin McHaney are listed as returnees on the program’s 2026-27 roster online.
Utah also is adding four players through the transfer portal in former Utah Valley wing Jackson Holcombe, former Ohio State combo guard Taison Chatman, former Weber State big Malek Gomma, and former Wright State point guard TJ Burch.
There are five other players joining the program as members of the 2026 recruiting class — Austrian power forward Fynn Schott, guard Styles Clemmons, juco transfer Zati Loubaki and two returned missionaries, Jaxon Johnson and David Katoa.
