HAYWARD, Calif. – As the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team prepares to begin team practices this week, head coach Will Biggs and his staff are excited to announce five newcomers to the 2012-13 squad. Coming off their most successful season since joining Division II and the CCAA three years ago, the Pioneers will rely on a veteran group of players. East Bay's active roster will not feature a single true freshman, as a talented group of transfers comprise this year's class of newcomers.
Junior guard
Gabe Kindred comes to Cal State East Bay after one-year stints at Loyola-Chicago and Salt Lake Community College. Last season, he averaged over nine points per game and led the team in assists as the Bruins' starting point guard. Before that, Kindred finished his high school career at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, where he was named team MVP and selected as All-New England.
Biggs describes Kindred, who was born and raised in Oakland, as “a tough-minded combo guard who really competes. Gabe brings the intensity and level of play needed to compete in the CCAA,” he added. ”He is a leader by example and he brings maturity to our guard rotation, most of whom are underclassmen. Gabe can shoot, score off the dribble, and has a tremendous feel for the game.”
Junior forward
Ryan Hebebrand joins the Pioneers after two seasons at Las Positas College. Last year, the 6'5” kinesiology major was a first-team All-Conference selection. He is currently rehabbing a broken foot, but hopes to be ready to help the Pioneers this season. Biggs envisions a significant role for Hebebrand, who excels on the defensive end. “Ryan is unselfish and a team-first player. He's strong, physical, and brings a toughness and maturity our team needs. Ryan is a defensive-minded player and determined rebounder, which fills a role we desperately need and didn't have last year.”
Junior guard
Donavon Jackson has already played two seasons for Cal State East Bay, and now he's back after one year away from the team. Jackson appeared in 24 games as a freshman in 2010-11 and 22 games as a sophomore the following year. In 2011-12, he averaged 5.4 PPG and 2.9 RPG and ranked third on the Pioneers in assists. Jackson set career highs with 19 points and 11 in a February game against Chico State.
According to Coach Biggs, “Donavon has returned bigger, stronger, older, and wiser, and he understands what is needed to compete in the CCAA. We're really happy to have him back. Donavon is versatile, capable of playing both inside and outside. He has length and athleticism and can play multiple positions, giving us much needed depth. Most importantly, Donovan is a hard worker and will do whatever it takes to win.”
Junior guard
Spencer Britschgi is a bay area native, having played his high school ball at St. Francis in Mountain View. There, the Redwood City native was a first-team All-WCAL and first-team All-Mercury News selection. He also competed for one year at Foothill College and one year at Chaminade University, where he was a member of the 2010-11 PacWest Co-Champions. Biggs and his staff are excited to add an experienced local product to the squad. “Spencer is a shooting guard with a tremendous background, having played for a high school State Championship at St. Francis,” said Biggs. “He is tough, knows how to play the game, and will definitely help us.”
Finally, freshman guard
Paramvir Singh will utilize a redshirt season this year. Another East Bay native, "Pom" grew up right here in Hayward and graduated from Newark Memorial High School, where he was a three-sport athlete. Singh was a member of four league championship basketball teams in his four years, and he was an All-League selection as a senior.
Cal State East Bay fans can get their first introduction to the newest crop of Pioneers tonight at Basketball Madness. There will be a tailgate outside Pioneer Gym starting at 7 p.m., with the Madness event scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. The team will kick off its 2012-13 season on November 11 when the Pioneers host Notre Dame de Namur in their season opener.
