The CSUB men's basketball team added another highly?regarded Canadian guard to its roster as junior Justin Dennis (Scarborough, Ont./Panola College) joins a talented Roadrunner backcourt for the 2008?09 season.
Dennis was a two?time All?Region XIV selection at Panola, where he averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a sophomore in 2008. He led the Ponies to an 18?14 record and the second round of the NJCAA Regional Tournament.
While recognized for his all?around game, Dennis was particularly adept as a shooter last season, knocking down 48 three?pointers on 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He also proved deadly from the free throw line, converting 83 percent (63-of-76) as a sophomore.
As a freshman at Panola in 2007, Dennis averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Before joining the team at Panola, Dennis was a highly?honored prep player at Mother Theresa Secondary in Scarborough, Ont., a suburb of Toronto. The former All?Canada selection is also the only player in the past 36 years to win consecutive MVP Awards at Toronto's prestigious Silver Fox Tournament.
The addition of Dennis just about completes the 2008?09 Roadrunner men's basketball roster. Head Coach Keith Brown and his staff may still bring on one or two walk?on players for the upcoming season.
NCAA Men's Basketball Signings
CSU BAKERSFIELD: Justin Dennis (6?0, 175, G), Scarborough, Ont./ Panola [TX] College/Mother Theresa CSS
'RUNNER MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
MOVING ON UP: The California State University, Bakersfield athletics program is currently completing year two of transition to full NCAA Division I status. The Roadrunners began playing full NCAA Division I schedules starting with the 2007?08 season.
The move to the NCAA Division I level is a four?year process. If all moves according to plan, year three of transition will begin June 1, 2008. CSUB will become a full NCAA Division I member on June 1, 2010.
'RUNNERS EARN FIRST WIN OVER NCAA TOURNAMENT TEAM: The 'Runners opened their first full NCAA Division I campaign by picking up a 80?72 win at the University of San Diego. USD ended the season by advancing to the NCAA Tournament and defeating UConn before bowing in the second round.
In all, CSUB played four teams that went to the Big Dance in 2008: USD, Boise State, Saint Mary's and Cal State Fullerton.
'RUNNER 2008?09 RECRUITS: Justin Dennis is the third player to sign with the 'Runners for the 2008?09 season. CSUB inked College of the Sequoias big man Jose “Chepe” Lara (6?8, 265) in the early signing period and Fremont High swingman James Albright (6?6, 215) in April.
HEAD COACH KEITH BROWN: Keith Brown took the reins of the Roadrunner basketball program after serving as Bakersfield's lead assistant and recruiting coordinator since June of 1997. In three seasons as the Roadrunners' top man, Brown has compiled a 44?43 record.
Brown came to the 'Runners after serving as the head men's basketball and baseball coach at NCAA Division II member Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. He was 41?98 at CSM.
