Introducing the Cal State Fullerton Basketball Roster

The Cal State Fullerton Basketball team is back for another season and looking to make some noise in the conference. Here’s a look at the roster for the upcoming season

Head coach: Dedan Thomas

Assistant coach: Brent Marinelli

Roster:

G/F Khalil Ahmad (6-4, 195, So.) – Averaged 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a freshman.

G Austen Awosika (6-2, 185, Jr.) – Averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 assists per game last season. Has been named to the Preseason All-Big West team.

F Jackson Rowe (6-7, 225, So.) – Averaged 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a freshman. Was named the Big West Freshman of the Year last season.

F Darcy Norenberg (6-9, 250, Sr.) – Averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.

G/F Michael Whiteside (6-6, 205, Jr.) – Averaged 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season while shooting 42 percent from three-point range

Meet the Newcomers

The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team is welcoming eight newcomers to the squad this season. Head Coach Dedrique Taylor is looking to the newcomers to make an immediate impact as the Titans look to improve upon last year’s 12-19 (6-12 Big West) record.

Among the eight are five freshmen, two transfers and one walk-on. The freshman class is made up of four guards and one forward, while the transfer class consists of one guard and one forward. Fullerton’s lone walk-on is a guard.

Guards
Khalil Ahmad (6-3, 185, Riverside, Calif./Copper Mountain College)
A former three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Ahmad comes to Fullerton after one season at Copper Mountain College in which he averaged 18.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game… Named a First Team All-American by the National junior college Athletic Association (NJCAA), Ahmad was also selected as the Foothill Conference Player of the Year and earned conference tournament MVP honors after leading CMC to the conference title… As a prep senior at JW North High School in Riverside, Calif., Ahmad averaged 20.1 points per game en route to being named Riverside County Player of the Year… He was also a two-time first team All-Cif Southern Section performer and was tabbed as an honorable mention all-state selection by MaxPreps his senior season… Chosen as an Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Fab 15 selection following his junior and senior seasons… Was also named to The Press-Enterprise’s All-Area team twice during his prep career… Played AAU Basketball for Inland Empire Basketball Academy (IEBP) where he helped lead his squad to multiple tournament championships.

Jared Brandon (6-4, 210, Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley HS)
An accomplished scorer from Moreno Valley high school Brandon comes to Fullerton averaging 23 points per game over his three seasons with the Vikings… As a junior in 2015-16,Brandon averaged 19 points on 52 percent shooting from the field while adding five rebounds per contest en route to first team All-River Valley League honors… Averaged 28 points per game as a senior despite playing most of his final campaign with injured wrists… Shot 46 percent from beyond the arc as a junior while connecting on 43 percent of his attempts from long range as a senior – finishing his career with 113 made three pointers which ranks fourth in school history… Also ranks sixth in school history with 1,471 career points… Helped lead Moreno Valley HS to back-to-back Cif Southern Section playoff appearances for just the second time in school history – including its first postseason win since 2006 when it knocked off No 20 Eisenhower HS in 2014… Played AAU Basketball for Inland Empire Elite where he helped lead IE Elite 17u Blue Chips squad to an Adidas Summer Championships Gold Division title in 2016 – averaging 18 points 8 rebounds and six assists during that tournament run…. Also earned All camp honors at Adidas Gauntlet Finale after averaging 16 5 points 9 0 rebounds 3 5 assists 1 5 steals while shooting 54 percent from three point range over five games played .

Returning Veterans

This season, the Cal State Fullerton Basketball team will be led by a core group of returning veterans. Seniors Michael Williams and Darin Johnson will provide steady leadership and scoring, while juniorcollege transfer Tre’ Coggins will look to add an instant offensive punch. On the defensive end, the Titans will be led by senior Johnest Jackson, who anchors a unit that is looking to build on last season’s success. With a strong mix of experience and talent, the Titans are poised for another successful season

The Backcourt

The backcourt is the part of the basketball court that includes the area from the mid-court line to the endline and extends out to the sidelines. It is also sometimes called the Half Court The backcourt is where the guards play. The backcourt players are responsible for handling the ball and bringing it up the court, as well as shooting and defense.

The Cal State Fullerton Titans have a strong backcourt this season. The starting guards are seniors Jordon guardian and Dwayne powderly. Junior shooting guard Jamal Smith is also a key player in the backcourt rotation.

The Frontcourt

The frontcourt of the Cal State Fullerton basketball team is anchored by senior center David Samuels Samuels, who is from Los Angeles has been with the team for four years and is a key part of the Titans’ defense. He is joined in the frontcourt by junior forward Jackson Rowe and sophomore forward Darin Johnson. Rowe, from Oakland, is a versatile player who can score inside and out. Johnson, from Seattle, is an athletic player who brings energy off the bench.

The Bench

The Cal State Fullerton basketball team is composed of many talented individuals, each with their own special skills and abilities. But when it comes to the bench, there are a few players who really stand out.

One player who always brings energy and enthusiasm to the court is freshman guard Jamal Smith. Smith is a dynamic player who is always looking to make a difference on the court. He is a tenacious defender and has a knack for hitting Big Shots when the team needs them most.

Another key player on the bench is sophomore forward Michael Williams. Williams is a versatile player who can play both inside and out. He is a physical presence on the court and is always looking to make things happen offensively.

These are just two of the players on the bench who make an impact for the Cal State Fullerton basketball team There are many others who contribute in their own way and help make this team one of the best in the country.

The Coaching Staff

The Cal State Fullerton basketball team is led by head coach Dedrique Taylor.Coach Taylor is entering his sixth season at the helm of the Titans’ program. He has compiled a 96-116 (.452) record during his time at Fullerton, including a 63-69 (.477) mark in Big West Conference play. Under his guidance, the Titans have earned postseason berths in two of the last three seasons, including a trip to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 2016.

Prior to arriving at Fullerton, Taylor spent four years as an Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Arizona State University While with the Sun Devils he helped Arizona State to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances and one trip to the NIT.

Taylor is joined on the sidelines by assistant coaches Jeff dunlap and Jermaine Kimbrough.

Dunlap enters his fourth season on the Fullerton Coaching Staff and his second as Associate Head Coach after being promoted in May of 2018. He has helped guide the Titans to postseason berths in two of his three seasons on staff, including a trip to the NIT in 2016.

Kimbrough is in his fifth season with the Titans and his first as full-time assistant coach after spending four years as Cal State Fullerton’s Director of basketball operations

The Schedule

The Cal State Fullerton men’s Basketball team has announced its schedule for the upcoming season The Titans will open the year with an exhibition game against Concordia on November 1, followed by their regular season opener against UC Irvine on November 6. Fullerton will play a total of 31 games this season, including 15 at home.

conference foes. The Titans will face UC Santa Barbara UC Davis, and Long Beach State twice each during the regular season Fullerton will open conference play at home against UC Riverside on January 3 and will close out the year with a road game against CSUN on March 8.

The Fans

As the Basketball season comes to a close, we want to take some time to introduce the team that will be representing Cal State Fullerton this year. Our basketball roster is made up of 12 incredibly talented and passionate players. These student-athletes have worked tirelessly over the past few months to prepare for this season and we are so proud of all they have accomplished. We know that our fans are equally as passionate about the team and we cannot wait to see all of you cheering them on in the stands!

The Future

The Fullerton Titans Basketball Team is gearing up for another fantastic season and they have some very talented new players joining the roster. Let’s take a look at the future of the Titans!

Rising star freshman guard Kobe Young will be looking to make an immediate impact on the team. Young was a highly sought-after recruit, receiving offers from some of the biggest programs in the country before ultimately choosing Fullerton. He’s a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court and is an excellent shooter.

Another freshman who will be making an impact is big man Sam Cunliffe. Cunliffe is a 6’7” Power Forward who is a very good rebounder and has a nice touch around the basket. He chose Fullerton because he felt it was the best place for him to develop his skills and reach his full potential.

Sophomore guard Austen Awosika is another player to keep an eye on. He averaged 9.4 points per game last season and was named the Big West Conference Freshman of the Year. Awosika is a pure scorer who can also distribute the ball well. He’ll be counted on to provide leadership for this young team.

The Titans also have several other talented players who will be looking to make an impact this season, including junior guard Jamal Smith and sophomore forward Jackson Rowe. With so much talent on the roster, it’s no surprise that Cal State Fullerton is one of the favorites to win the conference this season!

Introducing the Cal State Fullerton Basketball Roster