SJSU target Battey out of eligibility

Evan Battey (profiled here earlier) is out of high school eligibility due to repeating the ninth grade.

"Villa Park's Battey won't be allowed to play next season" -- Steve Fryer

He'll remain a much sought after recruit.

Beddeo to Fresno State

6-foot-1 point Ryan Beddeo was offered by SJSU last year when he was at West Ranch High (Valencia) in the Southland but opted for a post prep year at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. He committed to Army in November 2015 but then pulled out in January. Now he is headed to Fresno State but his status -- walk-on or scholarshipped -- appears fuzzy. Probably the former.

Ryan Beddeo: "Excited about my future at Fresno State and can't wait to be a bulldog."

Mac still has that shooting eye

Moffett Towers Club Sports Page (June 23): "Congratulations to former San Jose State Spartan Mac Peterson. Mac scored 72 POINTS!!!!!!!! shooting 24/31 & making 19 three pointers. Mac now holds the single game scoring record. The previous record was 67 points by Derrell Birton."

Team San Francisco 108, Bay Pride 96

Despite receiving 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists from Gary Williams Jr. plus Brandon Mitchell's contribution of 15 points and nine boards, the Bay Pride team fell 108-96 to Team San Francisco on Wednesday night in San Francisco Bay Area Pro-Am play.

The most important Spartan next season

Cases for the Most Important Spartan (MIS) of 2016-17 can actually be made for a few of the San Jose State University players -- Brandon Clarke or possibly Ryan Welage and maybe even the two freshmen at the point, Nai Carlisle and Isaiah Nichols since there is a major gap to fill -- but we are going with this player as most critical:  drumrrrrroollllll ..... redshirt sophomore Ryan Singer.

Okay, some of you are now asking "really?" to yourself if not out loud but just remember that Frank Rogers has graduated. Plus, it's unlikely Ashtin Chastain will be ready for more than short term appearances and Ryan Welage seems less than capable physically to play in the middle. The latter achieved but five shotblocks in 817 minutes during his initial season.

Hopefully the 6-foot-10 Singer has fully recovered from his injury and has added weight/strength during his redshirt season. He's also now 21 years old, thanks to a prep year after high school and his sitting out this past season, so the time is now for him to begin demonstrating an advancement in his skill set and thus an impact on the court.

Singer hasn't been a big scorer throughout his involvement in basketball. Points from him would obviously be beneficial in 2016-17 but here is what is absolutely needed: a presence on the boards and in the paint defensively.

Yes, Clarke is certainly a plus shot rejector but he is best at doing so off the ball which is helpful in his staying out of foul trouble. He also doesn't have the size or bulk for patrolling the middle. That needs to be Singer's role.

Spartan majors

No, this is not a post about ROTC on campus but rather the specific areas of degrees being sought by members of the SJSU men's basketball team. This is an impressive collection:

* Ashtin Chastain - business management

* Brandon Clarke - business administration and a minor in entrepreneurship

* Jaycee Hillsman - political science and a minor in pre-law

* Jalen James - sociology

* Brandon Mitchell - civil engineering

* Cody Schwartz - kinesiology

* Ryan Singer - business finance

* Isaac Thornton - economics

* Ryan Welage - kinesiology and a minor in business

* Gary Williams Jr. - communication studies and a minor in journalism

Underwater basket-weaving has taken me so far -- has it fallen from favor?

On hiring a new college baseball head coach

Reading this Tom Shatel article may be instructive on the hiring of a new SJSU baseball coach.

A Larry Eustachy update

"CSU finally feels like home to Larry Eustachy" -- Kelly Lyell

However, it still feels like the makeup of Eustachy's team is combustible. The JC transfers will either get on the court early or transfer. But relying on transfers has been his method of operation and a change at this age to a higher percentage of freshmen is unlikely.

Williams Jr. and Mitchell in the SF Pro Am

Gary Williams Jr. and Brandon Mitchell are playing in the San Francisco Pro-Am this summer as members of Coach Richard Morton's Bay Pride squad. The Pride will take to the court next Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

The MWC schedule is oput

"MOUNTAIN WEST ANNOUNCES 2016-17 MEN'S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE, TOURNAMENT FORMAT"

Well, it's not a murderer's row in the beginning although it's a little hard to determine each team's roster right now. At Nevada will be tough and then Colorado State comes in mid-week six days later which should help with preparation. Fresno arrives followed by a road game versus San Diego State, at Air Force and hosting Wyoming.

Former SJSU guard in a prominent NBA position

From "How close are major Chicago sports teams to putting ads on jerseys?" comes this:

"...The Chicago Bulls have considered this opportunity," said Scott Sonnenberg, vice president of corporate sales for the team. "We are working closely with the NBA and having conversations with brands across the globe."

He said the league's guidelines for patches (aka ads) such as the Sixers' dictate that they would appear on the front left of the jersey and measure 2.5 by 2.5 inches—not HUGE, but definitely big enough to notice.

"The Bulls are in constant communication with the league on potential prospects and are committed to establishing an authentic relationship with whoever comes on board," Sonnenberg said..."

He played in 2000-2002 for the Spartans.

This one will be a hard get

Talk about your round mound of rebound!

Josh Gershon on Evan Battey.

“I have offers from Fresno State, Utah State, Nevada, Cal State Fullerton, James Madison, LMU, San Jose State, and San Diego,” listed Battey. “I’m hearing from Boise State, Clemson, Oregon State, and Colorado.”

The sole visit set to date for the 6-foot-6, 280 Battey will be to Boise State. Word is he has lost some weight and 280 is no longer accurate.

"New kid on the block: Villa Park High center Evan Battey seemed to fall from the basketball heavens. Is he too good to be true?"

Noah Baumann was unknown before April

"Desert Vista player earns Division I basketball scholarship without varsity time" -- Richard Obert

File this one under 'you never know what you'll see while watching a son's game.'

Bauman verbals to SJSU

6-foot-4 2017 Arizona shooting guard Noah Baumann has given a verbal to SJSU.

A baseball post

Jimmy Durkin: "San Jose State declined to renew the contract of baseball coach Dave Nakama. Spartans searching for a new head coach."

Gene Bleymaier really struck out with this hire.

Try this one.

Put this one on your 2019 calendar

Gamepoint Basketball: "2019 G Ryan Langborg will take unofficial visits to San Jose St, Santa Clara & USF tomorrow & Fri. Will attend Stanford Camp Sat"

Ryan Langborg - 6-3 180 SG, Gamepoint- Elite shooter and crafty ball handler who does a good job using change of speed to elude defender. Average first step and lateral quickness on defense. Solid passer off the bounce. 

Noah Baumann gets initial offer from SJSU

Richard Obert: "Desert Vista long guard Noah Baumann (2017 grad), the next coming of Dane Kuiper, offered by San Jose State."

Powerhouse Hoops:

2017 Arizona prep guard checking out SJSU

Powerhouse Hoops: "PHH Family @NoahBaumann20 is Turning Heads & is Set to Visit San Jose St & Santa Clara this Week."

Baumann is a 2017 6-foot-4 guard who attends Desert Vista High in Phoenix, the same school as present Spartan Brandon Clarke.

Here's a feature.

Below is tape from 2015:



2016 video: