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Aztecs Bulk Up with JUCO Bigs

By Brad Best

Lack of size at the center post is a common concern for basketball programs across the country. From elite schools on down the line, finding a big man worth playing is like finding a rare gem on a dusty road. Many teams went with a three guard, two forward lineup much of last season. Certainly that was the case with San Diego State.

While the Aztecs do have a legitimate 7 footer in Chris Manker, his game is more like that of a small forward who likes to shoot the three ball. A skinny guy who rarely stands up straight, Manker plays below his size on both ends of the court. That left the center duties largely in the hands of 6’ 9” forward Aerick Sanders. Sanders not only held his own defensively against the likes of BYU’s NBA-bound Araujo, he far exceeded anyone’s offense expectations.

But there were games when Sanders and the other undersized Aztecs got pushed around and gave up easy inside scoring opportunities in critical game situations. That shouldn’t be the case with the 2004-05 lineup. Coach Steve Fisher signed 6-10, 280-pound center Jabbar Young to a national letter of intent last December and officially received a LOI from 6-11, 260-pound center Mohammed Camara on April 15.

Young attended (but did not play at) San Diego State previously. He played at San Bernardino community college during the 2003-04 season and will have three years of college eligibility remaining in the fall. “We are very pleased we have Jabbar Young returning to San Diego State,” Steve Fisher said. “He will bring size, strength and a low-post presence to our program. His familiarity with the University and our program should allow for quick progress.” Young was listed as the 20th best center in the class of 2002 by ESPN.com. USA Today also listed him as one of 20 players to watch in the state of Maryland while he was at National Christian Academy (Md.).

Camara backed out of his LOI with St. John’s following the departure of Coach Mike Jarvis. He is ranked as the sixth best junior college center prospect in the nation by Lindy's and nbadraft.net. Camara attended Riverside Community College the last two years, where he averaged 8.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. He helped lead the Tigers to a 25-7 record and their first outright Orange Empire Conference championship in the last decade.

“Mohamed is a big, physical kid,” said SDSU assistant head coach Brian Dutcher, who along with assistant Gregg Gottlieb led the recruiting efforts on Camara. “His biggest impact immediately will be at the defensive and rebounding end.”

Steve Fisher is also looking at Kansas forward and former Christian High forward/center Moulaye Niang, who recently announced his intention to transfer to a program that could offer him more playing time. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Niang is scheduled to visit SDSU the week of April 19. The Aztecs are interested in bringing the player home for his final two years of eligibility. Niang has already visited TCU, where a former assistant coach from Kansas will be coaching in the fall.

With at least two big men added to the roster, Fisher can at least hold off some of his recruiting critics until the start of next season. We’ll have to wait until they play the games to see just how much size matters for these Aztecs.