The Joventut quarry continues to feed the NCAA: Maronka signs for St. John’s

The men’s basketball team St. John’s has announced the incorporation of Zsombor Maronka to its squad for the 2026-27 season. The 2.08 meter Hungarian forward, with a notable career in European basketball, including his training in Spain, joins the Red Storm under the direction of coach Rick Pitino. Pitino has highlighted the qualities of the new signing, stating: “Z is an infallible shooter and an excellent passer. At 2.08 meters, he brings great size to our team.”

Coming from the Hamburg Towersa club in the Basketball Bundesliga, the highest category of German basketball, Maronka He played 27 games in the 2025-26 season, eight of them as a starter. His averages were 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, with 41.8% shooting from the field and 36.8% from the three-point line on 4.3 attempts per game. He reached double figures six times, highlighted by a 24-point performance in a win over Heidelberg on December 21. In addition, he participated in 13 meetings of the Euro Cup with Hamburgregistering 5.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Before his stage in Germany, Maronka He spent much of his career in Spainspending three seasons in the ACB Leagueone of the most competitive leagues in the world. He played for Real Betis during the 2022-23 season and, previously, he trained and played with the Joventut Badalona between 2020 and 2022, accumulating 37 appearances in the Spanish top flight. In the 2023-24 season, he played in Lithuania with Neptunas Klaipedaaveraging 4.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 28 games.

At the international level, Maronka He has been called up three times by the senior team of Hungary since 2021. Recently, he was a key player in Hungary’s attempts to qualify for the FIBA World Cup 2027averaging 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in four games. His performances included 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in a tight loss to France on Feb. 27, and 13 points and five rebounds in an 85-70 win over Belgium on July 6.

The arrival of Maronka complete a template of the Red Storm which has been renewed and reinforced after reaching the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. The St. John’s team, which also ‘signed’ the former green and black Ruben Preyhas swept the BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles for the second consecutive year and has surpassed the 30-win mark for the second time in as many seasons.