Bakersfield, Calif.- CSU Bakersfield head men's basketball coach Rod Barnes has announced the addition of 6-10 285 lb. center Andre Jackson to the CSUB roster for the 2011-12 season, adding to an already talented recruiting class for his first season at the helm of the Roadrunners.

Jackson, one of the biggest players in the history of Roadrunner basketball, comes to Bakersfield from Lee Community College in Baytown, TX where he averaged 10 points and six rebounds a game for the Rebels. His size and strength along with his touch around the rim, give the Roadrunners a true center that is expected to have immediate impact.

“We're excited to have Andre with us, we were in desperate need of a low-block guy,” said head coach Rod Barnes. “We feel like we have some other guys that are really good forwards or can back up at center but we think he's a guy that can come in, make an immediate impact give us a low-block scorer, give us some size inside and really match up with bigger teams.”

Jackson was heavily recruited by schools in the Big East, but ultimately ended up with Barnes in Bakersfield. Jackson's impact will allow other players that have previously played out of position as undersized centers, to shift into more-productive roles on the court.

“That's huge for us,” Barnes said. “We've got a guy like Adam Young who can really shoot the ball from the perimeter, he's a guy who can play inside but Andre kind of shifts everybody back in their natural positions on a full-time basis.”

The Roadrunners open their regular season on November 12 as they travel to Corvallis, Ore., to take on Oregon State. The 'Runners home opener is set for November 19 against Pepperdine at the CSUB Icardo Center at 7 p.m.

Fans wishing to purchase season tickets and select their seats for the 14 home games this season may do so on Tuesday, October 11 from 6-8 p.m. in the Icardo Center. For more information call 654-BLUE.