General
Uses all three names in print, but in speech the “S” is dropped from the first two names (“fred paul buh-GAT-skis”) … Reputation is an excellent shooter with size and athletic ability, and has a wealth of international basketball experience … Class of 2022 prospect who will join the Yellow Jackets as a freshman for the fall semester … Transferred out after the 2022-23 season, playing in nine games … Family background is in basketball, his father, Ainars, was the head coach of the Latvian Senior National Team from 2011-17 before becoming the head coach of the Ukranian National Team … Coached in the FIBA European Championships four times, three with the Latvian team and one with the Ukraine … Native of Latvia who moved to Valencia, Spain at age 14 to play and go to school … Speaks Latvian, English and Spanish … Intends to study computer science at Tech.
2022-23 (freshman)
Played in nine games, including five ACC games … Hit a three-point field goal at Louisville (1-for-3) … Played the final 3:03 of Tech’s game against Marquette and scored his first college points on a three-point basket with one second on the clock
A lot of work ahead!! Thankful for the opportunity 🐝🐝 @GTMBB pic.twitter.com/GY7LNY9rhM
— Freds Pauls Bagatskis (@FPBagatskis) June 7, 2022
High School
Attended Complejo Educativo Mas Camarena (more commonly known as Mas Camarena) while playing basketball in Spain … Graduated International Baccalaurate.
Club basketball
Played for the Valencia Basket Club team in Spain’s LEB Silver League during the 2021-22 season, appearing in three games … Played for Valencia’s U18 team the two seasons prior to that, averaging 22 minutes, 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists.
International Basketball
Played for the Latvia U20 team ahead of its appearance in the Euro Cup in the Republic of Georgia … Averaged 8.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists for Latvia in the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship.
Freds says: “A lot of other programs showed me similar interest and opportunity but the level of professionalism from the coaching and support staff really stood out. Not to mention it being a development-centered program which was one of the main key aspects I was looking for when making a decision.”