2009-10 CAL STATE EAST BAY MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
A new Frontier awaits the 2009-10 Pioneer men's basketball team. Cal State East Bay will begin competition in NCAA Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Seven players return from a Cal State East Bay team which competed in the 2008-09 NAIA Basketball Championships. "The CCAA is full of outstanding coaches and players," said Will Biggs, entering his 13th year as head coach of the Pioneers. "The conference will be a huge challenge for our basketball team. I feel our team has the potential to be competitive this season." At point guard, the Pioneers feature freshman MARK SAMUELS from Berkeley High School. "Mark is a tough player and leader who knows how to win," Biggs said. Senior JUN UCHIDA, netting 5.5 points and four assists a game, will also play point guard. "Besides a solid all-around game, Jun has improved defensively," Biggs said. Freshman DONAVON JACKSON, from El Toro High School, will start at the off guard position. "Donavon is a quick player who can shoot from the outside," Biggs said. The Pioneers have depth at guard led by junior MELVIN FLEMINGS and freshman EFREN SIFUENTES (Modesto Christian High School). According to Biggs, "Fleming has improved on defense while Sifuentes is a strong-tough kid who could play either guard position." SCOTT KNOX, who is one basket shy of tying a career three-point school record, will be back for his senior campaign. "Scott has made many contributions to the Pioneer men's basketball program," Biggs said. Freshman JACOB NOISAT, from Else High School in Santa Rosa, will play center for the Pioneers. "Jacob is a big-strong kid who will develop into a good center," Biggs said. Junior WILL FREEDMAN, who averaged 10.9 points per game while shooting 53.3 percent from the field, returns at small forward. "Will is a strong, all-around player," Biggs said. "He's a good inside shooter" At power forward, the Pioneers return seniors JAWAAN RUBIN and SAEED GATSON, along with sophomore FRANKIE MCWIRT. Rubin came off the bench to average 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds a game. "Rubin is coming off a knee injury, while Gatson and McWirt have worked hard over the off-season to contribute for the upcoming campaign," Biggs said. The Pioneers expect immediate contributions at the forward position from RYAN PARKER (Sierra College), ADAM GREEN (Mira Costa College), and freshman DEMITRIUS OWENS (San Leandro High School). "Ryan is making good progress from a back injury," Biggs said. "Once healthy, Ryan will make a big contribution." "Adam is a very good player and shooter. Demitrius is a definite play maker." JARED WATERS, a transfer from U.C. Santa Barbara, will play both guard and forward. "We have a nice team," Biggs said. "Our team has depth and plays well enough offensively and defensively to win games." The Pioneers will open the 2009-10 campaign with a pair of exhibition games at U.C. Davis on November 4 and at UOP on November 7. Cal State East Bay will play its regular season and home opener against San Diego Christian on November 21.
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