A&M hoops adds Polish forward Janusz Ratowski to 2024 signing class

Texas A&M basketball has added an experienced European youngster to its 2024-25 roster as Janusz Ratowski signed after an official visit.

The 6-foot-9 (and growing) forward has been playing for SMS PZKosz Wladyslawowo in Poland’s 2 Liga for the last four years. Last season, Ratowski started all 28 games and averaged 9.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game to lead the team in rebounding.

Ratowski joins a pair of Massachusetts products in Andre Mills — a 6-foot-4 four-star guard — and George Turkson — a 6-foot-7 four-star forward — as incoming freshmen in Aggieland.

In addition to gaining experience playing in Poland’s second-best league, Patowski has also played on the Polish Junior National Team.

Despite joining the Aggies as one of the youngest players on the 2024-2025 roster, Ratowski brings loads of unique experience to an already veteran squad. A&M’s coaching staff is high on his athleticism and jump shot, and he’ll have the opportunity to develop under the likes of Pharrel Payne, Henry Coleman III, Andersson Garcia and Solomon Washington, who will likely command the frontcourt this season.

This is the first time under Buzz Williams that A&M has signed an international freshman from Europe.

As college basketball expands its influence in the NIL era, more European prospects are opting to take their talents to the NCAA. Zvonimir “Big Z” Ivisic — a 7-foot-2 Croatian phenom — was the most notable example when he committed to Kentucky prior to last season before following John Calipari to Arkansas.

Ratowski is currently playing for Poland at the U20 European Championships and will join A&M in the fall.