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Gabi Acosta, reigning Big West Men's Water Polo Freshman and Player of the Year for Long Beach State, has proven himself to be an exceptional international student-athlete. 

Hailing from Barcelona, Spain, Acosta made the life-changing decision to pursue the passion for water polo in the United States, a decision that has already paid off handsomely in his time with the Beach. 

Acosta's remarkable journey to LBSU and his early success in the water polo scene are a testament to his skill, determination, and the support of his coaches and teammates. 

 

Acosta's decision to play collegiately in the United States was driven by a desire to continue playing at a high level while also pursuing a degree. 

Recognizing the growing prominence of water polo in the United States, Acosta saw it as the perfect opportunity to stretch himself athletically and academically. 

"I wanted to get a degree and keep playing water polo at the same level," Acosta said. "I saw that the US was a good option to do that, and I also saw that the level in the US was growing so fast. I think it was the perfect choice." 

Long Beach State, in particular, stood out to Acosta because of the coaching staff's belief in his potential. 

Their trust in his abilities was a significant factor in his decision to join the Beach. 

 

In his first season at Long Beach State, Acosta wasted no time in making a statement. He scored an impressive 64 goals, earning him the prestigious Big West Player and Freshman of the Year awards, as well as ACWPC Second Team All-America honors. 

For Acosta, his success was not just about personal achievements, but about contributing to the team's success. 

"I just wanted to know the team, understand what the coach wanted from me, and play and adapt to my team," Acosta said. "I think it was an amazing season. We won The Big West, and I believe I helped the team in that. So that's what I wanted, to help my team on offense, where I think I'm a better offensive player." 

Acosta's experience representing Spain in the European Championships also played a crucial role in the development as a player. 

Competing at the international level taught Acosta valuable lessons, in  game strategy, style of play and staying calm in high-stakes games. This experience has undoubtedly contributed to the collegiate success. 

"It was an amazing experience to go with the Spanish national team," Acosta said. "I learned a lot of water polo there, tactically, technically, and also how to manage the pressure before the games. I think that helped me become a better player, and now I can use all that knowledge to represent my university in this NCAA season." 

 

Acosta's integration into the LBSU team was made easier by the unwavering support of his teammates and coaches. 

Their belief in his abilities from day one was a confidence boost and allowed him to thrive in the pool. 

"They believed in me and trusted me from the very beginning," Acosta said. "That helped me a lot with my confidence in the team and my confidence in playing games. I'm incredibly grateful for that." 

For Acosta, Long Beach State isn't just a team; it's a second family. As an international student, being away from his family in Spain can be challenging, but the camaraderie and support he receives from teammates and staff make it feel like home. 

"We're a family," Acosta said. "We hang out outside the water, too. We're all friends, and that's amazing, especially for an international student like me who's far from home. It's incredible to have that support and sense of belonging." 

 

As Acosta looks to the future, the goals for the team remain ambitious. The Beach is determined to achieve consecutive Big West titles and improve their performance in the NCAA tournament. Earning the outright regular-season crown last Saturday, the team has solidly positioned themselves to defend their Championship title as the No. 1 seed in this week’s 2025 Big West Men’s Water Polo Championship. 

Acosta's individual goal is to contribute to the team's success in any way he can, whether it's through scoring goals or helping his teammates on defense. This season, those contributions include 61 total goals, or a league best 2.7 goals per game, with a 61.6 shot percentage to go along with six assists.  

"We want to win," Acosta said. "It's been a tough season, but we're working hard and believe we can do it. My individual goal is to help the team in every way possible to achieve that back-to-back victory." 

As he continues to make waves in the water polo world, Acosta's journey serves as an inspiration and spark to aspiring international student-athletes worldwide.