They say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. For former University of Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski, said distance happens to be around 6,000 miles. As “Zeus” begins his latest professional basketball chapter in Italy playing for Olimpia Milano, he’s still keeping a close eye on ‘A Player’s Program’ half way around the world.
The transition from Tucson to pro ball started with a successful season playing for Oklahoma Thunder’s D-League team. The 7-footer averaged 10 points and around seven rebounds a game before he got the unexpected call.
“Sort of out of the blue, one day my agent called me,” Tarczewski said to Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a phone interview Wednesday. “He said, ‘Kaleb, there’s an opportunity and we think you should go for it.”
At first the 24-year-old Tarczewski was apprehensive to make the move but convinced himself it would be the right one professionally and financially. His first experience in Europe was with the Thunder in pre-season.
The transition through the first week overseas has been relatively smooth, except for the temptation most struggle with when in Italy: the food.
“I’ve been trying to be as discipline as possible,” Tarczewski told Cesmat with a chuckle. “I really think that’s important to do. I told my parents before I came out here I’m nervous…I’m going to come back fat. The Italians love their bread and their pasta.”
“Zeus” believes his role with his new club won’t be much different from it was with the ‘Cats or in the D-League: rebound, defend, score around the basket and provide an interior presence at both sides of the floor.
He said he is optimistic this could be the year Arizona gets head coach Sean Miller to the Final Four after working out with the young Wildcats last summer and watching them grow and develop as the season progressed.
“Obviously, I think they’re hitting their stride,” he said of the ‘Cats. “I love the team this year, the grit that they have. That’s just such a Coach Miller team.”
