SAN FRANCISCO –With the 2012-13 season fast approaching, the San Francisco State men's basketball team is eager to start off on the right foot and improve their record from a year ago.  After posting a 9-19 overall record and finishing 10th in the CCAA standings during the 2011-12 campaign, the Gators are optimistic that this could be a turn-around year for the program. 
 
Heading into his third year, head coach Paul Trevor and his coaching staff are anticipating another tough schedule.  “We're very excited for what the season has in store for us,” Trevor said.  We have a tough preseason schedule, but I believe our team has the talent and the leadership to compete.”
 
Among the senior leaders, Nefi Perdomo returns for his fourth year as a starter for the Gators.  Perdomo currently sits at fifth on the Gators' all-time scoring list with 1,160 points.  After receiving Second-Team All-CCAA honors last year, Perdomo looks to have a major impact on Coach Trevor's team in 2012-13. 
 
“Nefi has shown great maturity these last couple years,” Trevor said. “His leadership will have a big impact on our season.” 
 
Also returning for his final season for the Purple and Gold is senior forward James Albright.  Albright played in all 28 games for the Gators last season, averaging 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds in just over 21 minutes per game. 
“James has shown a commitment all off-season,” Trevor said.  “He is really turning into one of the premier players in the CCAA.”
 
Transfers Decensae White (senior) and Brandon Tatum (junior) are also looking to make an immediate impact this season for the Purple and Gold.  White played two short stints at Texas Tech and Santa Clara bringing experience to an already loaded Gator front-court.
 
“Decensae brings the toughness to score in the interior while also being a threat on the perimeter,” Trevor said.  “His maturity will be an asset for our team this year”

Forward Brandon Tatum comes to the Gators from Las Positas College and looks to add depth to SF State defensively. 
 
“Brandon adds competitiveness to our team,” Trevor said.  “He's a tough, hard-nosed defender.”
 
Rounding out the SF State senior class is forward Winston Demmin.  Before sitting out  last season, the former Reedley College transfer averaged 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 27 games during the 2010-11 campaign. 
 
“Winston brings good leadership and CCAA experience,” Trevor said. “He is one of our older players and we are hoping for big things out of him this year.”
 
The other returners from last year that  also look to play an important role this season for the Gators.  Junior Max Fodor expects to build off his success last year.  Fodor started 15 of the Gators' 27 games last season at center, averaging 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds while also shooting 54.7% from the field. 
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“Max showed great versatility in his game last season,” Trevor said.  “I expect him to have another great year.” said Trevor. 
Sophomore guard Robbie Herndon proved last year he was a legitimate shooting threat from 3-point territory as a freshman.  Herndon shot just over 41 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 5.8 points in just 17.3 minutes per game.
 
“Robbie has the potential to be a big-time scorer for us this year,” Trevor said.  “With just one season under his belt, I expect big things from him in the future.” 
 
Other guards returning to the Gators 2012-13 include sophomores Andre Jones and Rico Matheney.  Coming off impressive first-year performances as reserves, both men look to play a bigger role this season. 
 
“Andre is a tireless worker and a great teammate, while Rico is a strong guard and has a great ability to defend.” Trevor said.
 
Joining SF State this season is a variety of new faces.  Also looking to get some quality minutes in the paint is junior transfer Steven Sanders out of Cañada College. 
 
“Steven is an athletic and physical forward,” Trevor said. 
 
Top recruit Derrick Brown, who is redshirting this season, will looks to provide depth for the Gators in the future.  Brown arrives at SF State from Bakersfield High School where he averaged 17 points per game.
 
“Derrick has tremendous upside,” Trevor said.  “He has a long, athletic wingspan and I expect big things out of this kid in the future.”
 
As for the backcourt, the Gators have added numerous weapons that they hope will provide depth as well as leadership.  Calvin Otiono comes to the Gators from San Joaquin Delta College where he was a first-team All-Big 8 selection.  Otiono averaged over 12.3 points, 6.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. 
 
“Calvin has shown he's one of the top junior college recruits,” Trevor said.  “I look for him to be a great leader for this team.”
 
Jordan Reudy transfers to SF State from Foothill College where he was a standout guard during the 2010-11 season.  Reudy graduated from Serra High School in 2010 where he received first-team All-West Catholic League honors and was named his team's most valuable player.
 
“Jordan has already proven he's a good leader and a team player,” Trevor said.  “He brings exceptional talent to us as a transfer.” 
 
Junior guard William Overton joins the Gators from the Academy of Art University after garnering the Pac-West Conference's freshman of the year award and all-league honors.
 
“Will is a big wing and a huge scoring threat as well,” Trevor said.
 
Rounding out the list of Gator transfers is Alli Austria, who arrives from Skyline College where he ranked third in the state in assists as a sophomore.  His 5-10 frame will provide quickness to the Gators this season. Austria also proved to be a leader in the classroom, graduating with high honors, was named to the Dean's List, and won the Osher Scholarship.
 
“Alli's a quick guard and a great distributor of the ball,” Trevor said. 
 
Loaded with fresh faces and great senior leadership, the Gators are excited to get back on top of the CCAA standings this season.  The 2012-13 season tips off on Saturday, Oct. 27, with an exhibition game against the crosstown San Francisco Dons on The Hilltop at War Memorial Gymnasium.  The Gators will also battle California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Nov. 6, before opening the regular-season slate on Friday, Nov. 16, against Dominican University at the Ron Logsdon Classic on the campus of Sonoma State University.  SF State's first home matchup will be against CCAA foe Cal State East Bay on Friday, Nov. 30 at The Swamp.

2012-13 SF State Men's Basketball Roster

2013-13 SF State Men's Basketball Schedule