Attrition Puts New Face on SDSU Basketball Team

The sports information office at San Diego State will have a tough decision in preparing the 1989-90 men’s basketball media guide.

Just who to put on the cover?

Last season, the Aztecs had returning senior starters Sam Johnson, Mitch McMullen and Bryan Williams for that spot. Two years ago, it was Jim Brandenburg, who took over as coach for David “Smokey” Gaines following the 1986-87 season. Gaines was on the cover the previous year, when SDSU went 5-25.

Next season, Brandenburg will return, but nearly three-quarters of the 1988-89 team will not.

Four players have used their eligibility, and six have left the program for various reasons. That leaves four returners, only three of whom--none starters--were on the team at the end of last season.

Maybe the cover should not be a “who.” It seems a hammer, saw, lumber and some nails would be more appropriate; SDSU faces a considerable rebuilding job.

There will be at least 10 new Aztecs next season, an unprecedented number for any team coached by Brandenburg. But seven will be junior college transfers, making this team (two seniors, eight juniors, a sophomore and three freshmen) about the same age as the last (four seniors, five juniors, a sophomore and four freshmen).

The returners are senior Rodney Jones, junior Neal Steinly, sophomore Eeric White and senior Michael Best. Best, who averaged 12.5 points per game in 26 games, was suspended from the team in February for disciplinary reasons but is expected to be back next season and would be the only returning starter.

To fill the gaps, Brandenburg has signed six junior college players since April 12, adding to the junior college player and three freshmen he signed in November.

Brandenburg indicated he would prefer to recruit freshman and have them for four years. But, he said, “My job is to take action and make things happen. The actions we’ve taken were steps we felt were necessary.

“We thought we were in pretty good shape (last November). With finding the right center and one or two front-line guys, we were going to be in real good shape.”

But things did not turn out he had planned. First, the team had a 12-17 record, the same as Brandenburg’s first team in 1987-88.

Then, one by one, players starting dropping out of the program.

Alex Sund transferred to Colorado Community College, and Dana Jackson announced he will transfer to another school next fall. Both were freshmen forwards.

Neal Pollard, a freshman center and Mormon, went on a two-year church mission last season. Walk-on juniors William Dixion and Kevin Honaker saw limited action and are not expected back.

Then last weekend, junior guard Tony Ross announced he is quitting the team and moving to Portland, Ore., forgoing his final season. Ross, the Aztecs’ leading scorer as a freshman and sophomore, averaged just 12.3 points last season as his playing time decreased. He was the last player left from the Gaines era.

So this team now comprises solely players recruited by Brandenburg. And 10 of them will attend classes next fall at SDSU for the first time.

“We’ll have to gain some familiarity, and it will take some time to see how well they’ll play together,” Brandenburg said. “I think it will be the most versatile of any of the three teams I’ve had here.”

SDSU will definitely be big. Ten players are listed at or taller than 6-feet-6, and the shortest at 6-2.

At center, the Aztecs have Steinly (6-11), Marty Dow (7-0) and Shawn Jamison (6-8).

Dow and Jamison are junior college transfers signed this spring. Dow averaged 8.3 points and 6.2 rebounds as Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; won the national junior college championship.

Jamison (19.9 points, 9.4 rebounds) led Pratt Community College of Kansas to fourth place in the national tournament as a sophomore and Casper (Wyo.) College to a sixth in his freshman season.

Jamison could also play forward, where junior college transfers Steve McClellan (6-6) and Nelson Stewart (6-6) are expected to compete for playing time with freshmen Courtie Miller (Torrey Pines High) and Terrence Hamilton (Patrick Henry). Miller (6-7) and Hamilton (6-6) signed in November.

McClellan (11 points, nine rebounds) played power forward for Arizona Western College. Stewart (17 points, 13 rebounds) played both forward and guard for College of Eastern Utah, where he was an all-conference and all-region selection.

In addition to Best, Jones and White, Brandenburg has signed four guards, three from junior colleges.

Arthur Massey (6-2) set Alvin Community College records for points per game (22 average), total points (703) and assists (220, 6.8 per game) last season.

Michael Hudson (6-6) was a teammate of Jamison’s at both Pratt and Casper. Hudson (13.8 points, five rebounds) can also play forward, as can 6-6 Vern Thompson (13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds) from Skyline College, who was signed in the fall. Fresno Hoover High’s Ray Barefield (6-1) also signed early.

“It looks good on paper,” Brandenburg said. “But let’s see how well they function as a unit and how well they win basketball games.”