April 29th, 2010
Texas State signs four basketball players

SUBMITTED REPORT

Texas State head men’s basketball coach Doug Davalos has announced the signing of four players for the 2010-11 season.

The Bobcats signed Nick Hinton from Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas, Stevie Rogers of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn., Travis Jones of Lon Morris College, and Reid Koenen of Prairie School High School in Racine, Wis. Those players will join mid-year transfer Matt Staff as new players Texas State’s roster in 2010-11.

“This is one of the most monumental recruiting years in Texas State basketball history,” said Davalos. “This class has a similar feel that our 2007 class had when we signed Cameron Johnson, Ryan White, Jonathan Sloan, Corey Jefferson and Brent Benson.

Hinton is a 6’ 9” forward who is listed as one of the Top 24 high school players by Texas Hoops after averaging 16.2 points and 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game at Wakeland for coach Brent Benningfield.

“Nick is a talented and versatile left-handed forward who has a soft touch and is an effective scorer inside the paint or on the perimeter,” said Davalos. “His ability to shoot the three coupled with his size and athleticism makes him a very special player. He also is a versatile defender, productive rebounder, runs the floor well and can flourish in the transition game.”

Rogers is a 5’11” guard who attended Choate after playing at Strake Jesuit High School in Houston. He ranked as one of the Top 12 players in Connecticut this past season while averaging 17 points, 8 assists and three steals per game for coach Adam Finkelstein. He also was named an All-Western New England First-Team selection in 2009-10.

“Stevie is a pure point guard, who can be a catalyst on offense and defense,” Davalos said. “He is extremely quick and effective in the open floor and a solid decision maker when directing the offense in the half court. His ability to knock down the three-point shot combined with his quickness and decision making makes him very hard to guard.”

Jones is a 6’7” guard who averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals per game at Lon Morris for coach Dale Dotson after attending Georgetown High School.

“Travis has played in one of the toughest junior college regions in the country and should be prepared to be an immediate impact player for us,” Davalos said. “He has outstanding ability to shoot or slash to the basket from the wing. He also is a very versatile defender and an above average rebounder from the guard position. He has a very good feel for the game and can play both guard positions.”

Koenen is a 6’7” forward who was named to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s All-Star team after being selected Honorable-Mention All-State by the Associated Press. He also was named to the All-Racine County team and was the Player of the Year in the Midwest Classic Conference. He averaged 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per game as a senior for coach Lance Marifke. As a junior, Koenen averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead Racine County in both categories.

“Reid is a very skilled player on the wing, and has tremendous range as a three-point shooter,” Davalos said. “He can really handle and pass the ball. His length, skill and athletic ability make him a very unique player. As he gains some strength and adjusts to the college game, he is going to be an outstanding player.”

Staff transferred to Texas State in January after playing in six games at New Mexico last fall. He played at Memorial High School, where he was an All-District and All-Region First-Team selections after averaging 19 points, 13.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a senior for Dave Lay.

“Matt has already impacted our program as a practice player,” said Davalos. “He is a 6’9” forward who has guard-like skills as a passer and shooter. His footwork, athleticism, competitiveness and versatility will allow him to contribute at multiple positions.”

These recruits joins Texas State’s roster after the Bobcats posted a 15-16 overall record and finished with the fifth-best record in the Southland Conference with a 9-7 mark.

“Each of these players have similar characteristics in that they are very skilled, intelligent and talented basketball players,” Davalos concluded. “They also are very conscientious students and great human beings raised by wonderful parents. We are very excited about the 2010-11 season.”