Beso Akhvlediani: “There is always another level I can reach”

He arrived at California with professional and Champions League experience. In his first collegiate season, he became a Second-Team All-American. Now, Beso Akhvlediani is looking beyond scoring and finding new ways to influence the game.

Beso Akhvlediani required little time to make his presence felt in the NCAA.

In his first season at California, the Georgian attacker registered 59 goals and 23 assists across 23 appearances, finishing with 82 points. He earned Second-Team All-America honors and became Cal’s first freshman since 2019 to be selected to the All-MPSF First Team.

His second season, however, reveals an expanding role.

Through his first 14 games of 2026, Akhvlediani has recorded 39 goals and 28 assists. He leads Cal in goals, assists and total points, with 67.

From scorer to playmaker

The most significant development is not found solely in his scoring numbers.

Akhvlediani averaged one assist per game last season. That figure has risen to two in 2026, while he continues to score at a rate of almost 2.8 goals per appearance.

That evolution was visible in Cal’s 12–8 victory over No.1 Stanford. Akhvlediani finished with four goals and three assists, contributing directly to seven of his team’s twelve goals.

He was not only Cal’s leading scorer. He was its primary creator as well.

YARE ONE QUESTION

YARE: You arrived at Cal with professional and Champions League experience. After establishing yourself during your first collegiate season, how do you now view the development of your game and your role within the team?

“I came to Cal with experience playing at the professional level, competing in the Champions League and representing my national team, so I already had a strong foundation and understanding of the game.

However, European water polo and American college water polo have different styles, and adapting to those differences was an important part of my development.

Last season, I established myself and contributed at a high level. This season, I’m focused on building on that foundation, continuing to develop my game and finding new ways to make an impact as both a scorer and a playmaker.

I’ve always believed that leadership means taking responsibility in big moments while constantly demanding more from yourself.

No matter how well I perform, I believe there’s always another level I can reach. My goal is to keep improving, bring my experience to the team and do whatever it takes to help Cal win.”

When the data supports the statement

Akhvlediani’s description of his development as a playmaker is supported by Cal’s official statistics.

*The 2026 season is ongoing.

His assists per game have doubled, while his overall production has risen from 3.6 to 4.8 points per appearance.

That is the next meaningful step in the development of an attacking player: remaining a direct scoring threat while creating more opportunities for everyone around him.

For Akhvlediani, moving from Europe to the NCAA did more than change his competitive environment. It expanded the number of ways in which he can influence a game.

His second season in Berkeley suggests that adaptation is now becoming leadership.