The assembly of the 2023-24 Valparaiso University men’s basketball roster continued on Monday as head coach Roger Powell Jr. officially announced the signing of Kaspar Sepp, a 6-foot-7 forward from Tartu, Estonia.

After spending last season at Fairmont Academy – a prep school in Orlando, Fla. – Sepp will join Valpo’s program as a freshman for the 2023-24 campaign.

“The coaching staff was definitely a big factor in my decision,” Sepp said. “I had a good connection with (assistant coach) A.J. (Moye) because he used to play for my national team head coach, that’s where my connection to Valpo started. My prep school coach was roommates with A.J. as well. Valpo had my desired major, which is bioengineering. I like the entire coaching staff, and I’m excited to be a part of a new, young team and have an opportunity to earn quality minutes.”

Sepp is poised to play for the Estonian national team again this summer before joining Valpo’s Summer 2 practice session in late July. In the final game last summer, Sepp helped Estonia beat Finland to earn a promotion to the “A” Division, so Estonia will compete in the “A” Division this year.

“It’s really important to me to represent my country,” Sepp said. “I’m proud to be a part of the team. Estonia hasn’t been in the ‘A’ Division in a long time, so it’s going to be really important for us to stay there this year. We have to perform.”

Sepp was able to acclimate to life in the United States this past year during his prep school time at Fairmont.

“The basketball wasn’t much different from what I experienced in Estonia,” he said. “There is a little bit more discipline here in the United States and practices are tougher. Culture wise, one thing that I really like about the States is that people are really outgoing and totally different from Estonia.”

Sepp began playing basketball at the young age of 8. He enjoyed his conversations with Moye throughout the recruiting process and hopes to step up as a leader on a new-look Beacon squad.

“My strengths are definitely my basketball IQ and my view for the game,” Sepp said. “I like to make others better on the court. I can make shots for myself, too, and I’m a skilled player under the basket. Defense is also important to me; I’m a guy who will do the dirty work.”

Sepp becomes the sixth newcomer announced by Powell this summer, joining Central Michigan transfer Ola Ajiboye, junior college transfer Isaiah Stafford, Murray State transfer Jaxon Edwards, freshman Cooper Schwieger and Hofstra transfer Lual Manyang.

“I’m super excited about Kaspar,” Powell said. “He has a great feel for the game of basketball. He brings an international pedigree and helps us continue the longstanding international pipeline at Valpo. He fits great within my system and is going to be an awesome addition to Valpo Basketball and the way that I want to play.”