AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific men's basketball head coach Justin Leslie announced four newcomers to the men's basketball program in the 2017-18 school year.
Two of the four will join the Cougars as first-year freshmen, joining a pair of transfers who join an Azusa Pacific program which won back-to-back Pacific West Conference regular-season championships in its first two seasons of active membership in NCAA Division II.
Ben Avera (Clovis North HS) signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) during the NCAA's early signing period in November, and Joey Walsh (St. Francis HS) has also committed to Azusa Pacific. The Cougars added transfer commitments from Darien McClain (San Diego City College) and Tyson Kanseyo (Montana State).
"Darien and Tyson are going to help us compete at the highest level in the West Region right off the bat," said Leslie. "Not only are they tremendous competitors, they're good young men who have a great spirit about them and care about their education. Getting two transfers of their caliber bodes well for our program moving forward."
McClain, the 2017 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference South (PCAC-South) Player of the Year, led San Diego City College to the junior college state title, and McClain lifted the Knights to a thrilling 53-51 win over Fullerton College with the game-winning buzzer-beater to clinch the program's first-ever state championship.
The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 12.3 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on the year, which he elevated in the playoffs to 21.6 points, 2.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game as San Diego won its first three playoff games by double figures. San Diego posted two-point wins over San Francisco City College and Fullerton in the state tournament, as McClain collected tournament MVP honors.
"Darien is an elite point guard and a proven winner, and I'm excited to see his presence in the backcourt as he competes with the best," Leslie said. "I think he upgrades our backcourt and can lead this team night in and night out, and I'm thrilled with everything he brings to the table."
Kanseyo is a 6-foot-8 forward who transfers from Montana State, a member of the Big Sky Conference (NCAA Division I). He averaged 2.3 rebounds in 24 games for the Bobcats in the 2015-16 season, a year after averaging 8.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game his freshman year at Laramie County Community College.
"Tyson should be able to bring a physicality and a presence to our team on both ends of the floor, especially when we get physical post presence matchups," Leslie said. "I'm very excited about what he brings to complement the other pieces we have with a motor and intensity about him that will be felt immediately."
Avera is a 6-foot-6 guard who was a two-time Fresno Bee All-Star selection who helped lead Clovis North High School to the 2016 CIF Central Section Division I championship game and a state tournament appearance.
"Ben is an intriguing prospect with deep range on his shot, and he can play all the perimeter positions," Leslie said. "He handles the ball well and makes good decisions, and I think he's someone with tremendous upside who will make a big impact for us as his game develops physically. He does a lot of things that go outside the box score that help his team win."
Walsh joins Azusa Pacific from St. Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge, where the 6-foot-2 guard was a three-year starter for the Golden Knights. He averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while earning All-Mission League second team honors.
"Joey has a toughness and grittiness to his game that makes his team better," Leslie said. "He doesn't back down from anybody and competes on both ends of the floor. He is a great kid who's going to be a wonderful fit at Azusa Pacific."
