CHICO, Calif. – Chico State Head Basketball Coach Greg Clink wants his team to get stronger across the board. He took a major step in that direction this week when 7-foot-center Jason Conrad, sweet-shooting guard Rashad Parker, and 6-foot-5 forward Amir Carraway signed a National Letters of Intent to play for Chico State beginning in the fall of 2009.
Conrad, a product of Gilroy High School, is easily the biggest player ever to don the cardinal and white. Parker is a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 18 points per game and buried 64 3-pointers last year as a senior at Castro Valley High School in the San Francisco Bay Area. Carraway averaged 12 points and five rebounds per game in an injury-shortened senior season, but poured in 20 points in the season finale against eventual NorCal Champion McClymonds.
“I’m very excited about our future,” said Clink. “Amir, Rashad and Jason are a big reason why. They are very talented players with tremendous potential. I’m really looking forward to seeing them grow both as basketball players and as young men.”
Parker earned First Team All-League honors and All-Bay Area Metro Team honors after leading Castro Valley to a 23-5 record and its second North Coast Section Playoff win ever. The first NCS playoff win came during Parker’s junior season in which he averaged 14.8 points per game and drained 40 3-pointers. Over two seasons, he led Castro Valley to a record of 47-9.
“The best thing about Rashad is that he is a competitor and a winner. He makes big plays in big games,” said Clink. “Under Head Coach Nick Jones, Rashad helped build Castro Valley into one of the top teams in the Bay Area. I feel he can be a big part of building something special here as well. Rashad’s ability to score is special, and I think the Chico State fans will fall in love with his fearless play.”
Conrad was a preseason McDonald’s All-America candidate heading into his senior season in which he averaged 18 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks per game before sustaining a season-ending leg injury. In one game against San Lorenzo Valley, Conrad finished with 27 points, 23 rebounds, and 11 blocked shots. Against Oakland Tech, he notched 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks.
“Jason is a post player who possesses a rare combination of size, speed and strength,” said Clink. “He has the ability to finish with power and finesse at the rim, and his rebounding and shot-blocking ability will provide a huge boost for us defensively. He’s also been taught the nuances of the game by well-respected coaches Bud Ogden, Jeremy Dirks, and Bob Bramlett.”
Conrad, who originally signed with Portland State University out of high school, averaged 10 points, nine rebounds, and three blocked shots per game as a junior and earned a spot on the league’s All-Defensive Team. As a sophomore on the varsity team, Conrad ranked among the state’s top-10 in blocked shots per game at 4.5 to go along with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Carraway averaged 12 points and five rebounds per game in an injury-shortened senior season. His play down the stretch of the season helped Franklin advance to the Sac Joaquin Section title game and the second round of the state tournament.
“Amir has the ability to fill up the stat sheet. His length, athleticism, and skill will allow him to have a great career here at Chico State,” said Clink. “But the intangibles he learned under coach Jesse Formaker (at Franklin) are what we’re most excited about. He’s a tremendous student-athlete with great character and leadership ability.”
Chico State is coming off an 8-19 season, but features a strong young nucleus that includes electrifying guard Zach Graves, tenacious power forward Roderick Hawkins, and defensive stopper Josh Jackson.
