Xavier adds Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston

[muethibp]

Per Jeff Borzello on twitter.

Xavier has landed Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston.

Big man averaged 15.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg last season.

Seems a nice add.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/62635/rashid-gaston

[SemajParlor]

Awesome.

Edit: Wait is he eligible for this year? I would assume he has to sit out - but seeing some conflicting reports.

[BMoreX]

Awesome.

Edit: Wait is he eligible for this year? I would assume he has to sit out - but seeing some conflicting reports.

He has to sit. Good bridge if Jalen leaves.

[SemajParlor]

He has to sit. Good bridge if Jalen leaves.

That's what I assumed... Wow at the potential of the 2016-2017 team. Could be special.

[Cheesehead]

I trust Mack on this one but looking at his game by game stats, his numbers were a lot less against their OOC big school opponents:

UVA DNP
Vandy 5 points 3 reb
Baylor 6 points, 10 reb
Georgia 9 points 6 reb
Princeton 10 points 11 reb

However, he really came on as the season progressed and put up some really big conference numbers. Not a very good FT thus far. I like his size though

[More Cowbell]

I trust Mack on this one but looking at his game by game stats, his numbers were a lot less against their OOC big school opponents:

UVA DNP
Vandy 5 points 3 reb
Baylor 6 points, 10 reb
Georgia 9 points 6 reb
Princeton 10 points 11 reb

However, he really came on as the season progressed and put up some really big conference numbers. Not a very good FT thus far. I like his size though

10 rebounds against Rico Gathers Sr. in 20 minutes is a solid effort. Here are a few highlights:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsBttRPKSzI

[Xavier]

I trust Mack on this one but looking at his game by game stats, his numbers were a lot less against their OOC big school opponents:

However, he really came on as the season progressed and put up some really big conference numbers. Not a very good FT thus far. I like his size though

Agreed. I think he will be a good guy to practice against this year and could be decent when he can play. He is from Warren, Ohio--Maybe Mack is doing someone a favor or something.

[Always Learning]

Would be interesting to know min played and foul counts (2nd first half, 3/4 second half) vs those opponents.
Agree, could be a "bridge" if Jalen leavers, but I look for O'Hara to make a big jump as a sophomore too.

OT here, but AM rag says LaBron is a lock for series MVP. Hate that designation. bsolutely MOP, but if Cavs don't win, MVP has to go to Curry.
I have been fortunate to see all of the greats, all the way back to the Cousy's, Pettits, and have never see the likes of LaBron. Best player ever, IMO.
One of very few people who cane carry a team by himself.

Pace Domini, going to din din tonight with Biles and Ray Dankel ... member them?

[casualfan]

Agreed. I think he will be a good guy to practice against this year and could be decent when he can play. He is from Warren, Ohio--Maybe Mack is doing someone a favor or something.

Giving a kid a two year scholarship when he can only play one year and you only get 13 of them would be a hell of a favor.

I'm guessing Mack thinks the kid can play.

[casualfan]

Would be interesting to know min played and foul counts (2nd first half, 3/4 second half) vs those opponents.
Agree, could be a "bridge" if Jalen leavers, but I look for O'Hara to make a big jump as a sophomore too.

OT here, but AM rag says LaBron is a lock for series MVP. Hate that designation. bsolutely MOP, but if Cavs don't win, MVP has to go to Curry.
I have been fortunate to see all of the greats, all the way back to the Cousy's, Pettits, and have never see the likes of LaBron. Best player ever, IMO.
One of very few people who cane carry a team by himself.

Pace Domini, going to din din tonight with Biles and Ray Dankel ... member them?

I think you're going to be looking for awhile

[spursy]

Seems that Shannon Russell broke the story. Good on her!

[Xavier]

Giving a kid a two year scholarship when he can only play one year and you only get 13 of them would be a hell of a favor.

I'm guessing Mack thinks the kid can play.

Meh, I don't think so. Mack has given schollys to walk-ons before, hasn't he?

[Juice]

Meh, I don't think so. Mack has given schollys to walk-ons before, hasn't he?

Yeah, that were already on the roster and the scholarships were sitting there idly. This isn't even close to that type of situation.

[bigdiggins]

Yeah, that were already on the roster and the scholarships were sitting there idly. This isn't even close to that type of situation.

There are two scholarships sitting idly. I'd say its therefore close. You don't get a head start in games because you have fewer scholarship players on the roster.

[XUFan09]

There are two scholarships sitting idly. I'd say its therefore close. You don't get a head start in games because you have fewer scholarship players on the roster.
Two scholarships available for 2015, sure, but they now have one fewer scholarship available for the 2016 recruiting class, a class in which they have a number of targets. So no, it's not close.

[Juice]

Two scholarships available for 2015, sure, but they now have one fewer scholarship available for the 2016 recruiting class, a class in which they have a number of targets. So no, it's not close.

You think our fans would be happy to have a kid that the coaches plan to be a big contributor to our team?

[GoMuskies]

You think our fans would be happy to have a kid that the coaches plan to be a big contributor to our team?

Hey, the coaches wanted Kamall Richards, Brandon Randolph and Jordan Latham, too. We'll just have to hope for the best and see how it goes.

[Juice]

Hey, the coaches wanted Kamall Richards, Brandon Randolph and Jordan Latham, too. We'll just have to hope for the best and see how it goes.

Yeah but to view this simply as throwing a bone to a kid bc X has an open scholarship is idiotic. Why would schools like UD, Usf, FSU, Wright State also be looking at him if he was just going to take an open scholarship?

[GoMuskies]

Yeah but to view this simply as throwing a bone to a kid bc X has an open scholarship is idiotic.

Agree. I don't think there's any way we'd do that. That would make less than no sense.

[Xavier]

Agree. I don't think there's any way we'd do that. That would make less than no sense.

I was kind of thinking more a bone for a previous coach of his or something in line with that- thinking the coach would maybe return the favor down the line and lead a kid our way. Maybe makes even less sense. Off season speculation.

[xu82]

It seems we had a need for another big and I'll trust the coaches as to whether this is the right guy - as well as the scholarship strategy. I say welcome to the young man. And please spend part of the off year working on those FT's as it's only slightly better than a coin toss at this point. I'm hoping for big things and I'd hate to have a good player who has to come off the floor at crunch time.

[paulxu]

Was Tim Stainbrook's scholarship renewed for the upcoming season?

[nasdadjr]

I'd bet this kid can play well. Stats against better teams can be misleading since he was on Norfolk state and teams probably keyed on him

[XUFan09]

I'd bet this kid can play well. Stats against better teams can be misleading since he was on Norfolk state and teams probably keyed on him
Yup. I don't think a lot of high-major fans realize how tough it sometimes is for good players on low-major teams.

[MuskieCinci]

I don't understand why some people are questioning this, like the coaching staff is trying to sign up incompetent stiffs. To the people that are, would you be comfortable with a big man rotation in 2016-17 of Sean O'Mara, Makinde London, and an unknown freshman commodity or two? I will feel much better about our rotation with Gaston added into the mix. It has also been said that he is a great teammate and leader, on and off the court.

[SixFig]

I like this signing. This is the kind of thick bodied big who always gives "more talented" bigs fits. Here is hoping he and O'Mara can be the beef in the middle.

Let's hope he is more Jason Love than Charles Bronson

[kyxu]

We're losing Farr after this season and, in all likelihood, Reynolds. We'll need another big body with O'Mara and London.

[Murph85]

My take is that Mack really emphasizes the value of seniors and the hunger they bring since the end of their college days is so imminent. In this case he also wants to better himself to continue his career. I am hoping for a guy with decent talent that gives 110%

Also, in prior replies I think Gates could be thrown into the conversation as a big. He is listed at 6'7 and 6'8

The 2016 team is solid with or without Reynolds.

[Masterofreality]

We're losing Farr after this season and, in all likelihood, Reynolds. We'll need another big body with O'Mara and London.

This. Size, except in the case of Adam Simon, matters.

Available big bodies are always in demand and methinks that this kid can play- especially defensively which is what this team will need. Remember the naysayers when X got Isaiah Phillmore from Towson? That worked out OK.

[GoMuskies]

Remember the naysayers when X got Isaiah Phillmore from Towson? That worked out OK.

Not sure he's the example you want to cite. Travis Taylor as a senior certainly worked out well (after kind of a disaster his first year).

[xudash]

I don't understand why some people are questioning this, like the coaching staff is trying to sign up incompetent stiffs. To the people that are, would you be comfortable with a big man rotation in 2016-17 of Sean O'Mara, Makinde London, and an unknown freshman commodity or two? I will feel much better about our rotation with Gaston added into the mix. It has also been said that he is a great teammate and leader, on and off the court.

I think it's pretty simple to figure out. We - the collective we - have a tendency to get caught up in ratings for new recruits and brand schools when it comes to transfers.

"He's transferring in from Indiana" carries more cachet with most fans than "we picked him up from directional school USA."

I'm with you completely with respect to your point about the coaching staff. I'm going to assume they know what they're doing. They have an incredible amount of experience and information, and they seem to get things right most of the time.

[xubrew]

I don't know that much about this guy, but I'm sure Mack is making a mistake in signing him.

....and had he not signed him, I'm sure that would have been a mistake as well.

[xu82]

I don't know that much about this guy, but I'm sure Mack is making a mistake in signing him.

....and had he not signed him, I'm sure that would have been a mistake as well.

That's the spirit!

[muskiefan82]

Mid-majors occasionally find real talent and that talent blossoms. Yes, X was part of that group 25 years ago (see Tyrone Hill among others) See Stephen Curry at Davidson for a more recent example. If the coaching staff sees something and he can bridge the gap in two years while bringing three years of Division 1 playing experience and another year of practicing with the team, I am all in.

[sirthought]

Just looking over this guy's profile, I'd say Mack is solely hoping to find a big body (and perhaps more mature mind) to have just in case someone else doesn't get recruited to fill that 4 spot. That's not a bad thing.

It's pretty obvious he lives on offensive rebounds and put backs. XU actually could use a lot of that. While this guy had some positives the past three years, my guess is he will have a much tougher time scoring in the Big East where there are taller teams overall. That FT shooting will become a huge concern if teams set their sights on not letting him score.

That said, if he can run the floor, be in the right place to do his job, minimize mistakes…I think he has potential to really contribute. Let's hope is wait year is really productive and he competes hard in practice.

His size and skill set makes him very much a tweener at the pro level, so he's going to have to improve greatly if that's his ambition.

[X-Fan]

Hey, the coaches wanted Kamall Richards, Brandon Randolph and Jordan Latham, too. We'll just have to hope for the best and see how it goes.

As other have pointed out, there are two sides to this coin. I recall wondering WTF Coach Mack was doing when he signed this crazy looking transfer from Western Michigan named Matt Stainbrook. That seemed to work out "ok".

[GreatWhiteNorth]

As other have pointed out, there are two sides to this coin. I recall wondering WTF Coach Mack was doing when he signed this crazy looking transfer from Western Michigan named Matt Stainbrook. That seemed to work out "ok".

Yes, Matt is more than "ok".

[GoMuskies]

As other have pointed out, there are two sides to this coin.

Of course there are two sides to it. That's pretty much the point. Xavier coaches have really wanted guys who turned out to be really good for us, and they've really wanted guys who turned out to be really not good for us. All we can do is hope that Gaston is the former and not the latter.

[xukeith]

As a junior, did he start the entire season?

[casualfan]

As a junior, did he start the entire season?

I can't find a games started stat, but he averaged 31 minutes a game last year so I think it's a safe bet to assume he started most if not all their games.

[XUFan09]

Of course there are two sides to it. That's pretty much the point. Xavier coaches have really wanted guys who turned out to be really good for us, and they've really wanted guys who turned out to be really not good for us. All we can do is hope that Gaston is the former and not the latter.
Yeah, that's fair. However, the coaching staff wanting a guy and him turning out bad is different from the staff "doing a favor." I know you agree with that, but it's what some are responding to. The staff expects this guy to contribute, maybe even start.

Like I said before, I think a lot of fans just don't know how to react to low-major players. Never mind that Xavier has had recent transfers from Manhattan, Tulsa, Monmouth, Towson, and Western Michigan. Apparently those experiences aren't enough to make people aware that the staff might actually be serious about a low-major transfer.

[XUFan09]

It's pretty obvious he lives on offensive rebounds and put backs.

His usage rate this past season was 25.3%, just behind the highest-usage player on his team, and far ahead of all the other players on his team. Because of that, it's pretty much impossible that he lives on offensive rebounds and put-backs. No doubt that's a nice part of his game that Xavier will like having (just as it is for Reynolds), but his game by necessity has to be a little more diverse than that for him to have the ball so much and still shoot 63%.

[usfldan]

I can't find a games started stat, but he averaged 31 minutes a game last year so I think it's a safe bet to assume he started most if not all their games.

He started 28 of 32 games last year. He started 14 of 20 games as a sophomore and did not start at all as a frosh.

http://nsuspartans.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2014 - click on individual stats.
http://nsuspartans.com/documents/2014/11/21//Fact%20Book%20Low-Res%20Part%20III.pdf?id=1708 - pages 22 & 23

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

He started 28 of 32 games last year. He started 14 of 20 games as a sophomore and did not start at all as a frosh.

http://nsuspartans.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2014 - click on individual stats.
http://nsuspartans.com/documents/2014/11/21//Fact%20Book%20Low-Res%20Part%20III.pdf?id=1708 - pages 22 & 23

Thanks for the info. I looked at his stats in each game and found that the man fouls out quite a bit. He had 5 fouls in 5 games. Also he had 4 fouls in 6 games. That must have limited his production.

[Masterofreality]

I don't know that much about this guy, but I'm sure Mack is making a mistake in signing him.

....and had he not signed him, I'm sure that would have been a mistake as well.

This is the truest post ever on this board. Public and private reps.

[xu82]

As a junior, did he start the entire season?

Did Jalen? This could mean a lot of different things. Fair question, but what does it mean?

[Cheesehead]

Mack spoke very highly of Gaston last night at the Steak Fry. He said he could be "special" and that he is very happy w/ curernt roster.

[bobbiemcgee]

So what do all you insider's and paid site guys have to say about this guy? How did he practice all year? How well did he do vs. Jalen and Farr? Can he rebound like them? Will he average more points? Can he play with 4 guards? Can he compete against BE comp.? What does he BRING?

Whoooooooooo are you------- woohoo - woohoo?

[xu82]

Come on, tell me......

[Masterofreality]

So what do all you insider's and paid site guys have to say about this guy? How did he practice all year? How well did he do vs. Jalen and Farr? Can he rebound like them? Will he average more points? Can he play with 4 guards? Can he compete against BE comp.? What does he BRING?

Whoooooooooo are you------- woohoo - woohoo?

Can he jump off one foot?.....Sorry.

[GIMMFD]

Only thing I have a good feeling about is him not averaging more than 15.5ppg hahaha.

[Milhouse]

The guy competed against BE competition all year in practice against with Top 5 talent. He'll be fine.

[xukeith]

Mack spoke very highly of Gaston last night at the Steak Fry. He said he could be "special" and that he is very happy w/ curernt roster.

Are not all X players "special"?
Big word--relative.

[Cheesehead]

Some of you know my son is one of the managers. He also actually rebounds for Rashid a lot. He likes the kid a lot. They have played a lot of one on one too.

I have been careful not give away anything that might be considered to be inside info but some the words used by son, "strong", "good rebounder" and decent range from 15 feet in. I don't think you will see much from Rashid on the perimeter. He is truly an inside player and will get a lot of stick backs and has a knack for loose balls. Garbage man type of guy who can get out and run too.

I don't think any of this is earth shattering but perhaps this is some insight.

[muskiefan82]

Mack and the staff liked him enough to offer him a spot. That's enough for me.

[Muncie]

Thanks Cheesehead, I expect him to be a key role player

[XMuskieFTW]

The fact that he can shoot the ball at a decent range is a huge plus. For some reason I thought he had no jump shot at all. Good to hear he can face up.

[casualfan]

EDIT: I am a moron and looked at the advanced stats on Gaston's sophomore year at Norfolk State instead of his junior year.

Carry on and don't mind me

[GIMMFD]

some of you know my son is one of the managers. He also actually rebounds for rashid a lot. He likes the kid a lot. They have played a lot of one on one too.

I have been careful not give away anything that might be considered to be inside info but some the words used by son, "strong", "good rebounder" and decent range from 15 feet in. I don't think you will see much from rashid on the perimeter. He is truly an inside player and will get a lot of stick backs and has a knack for loose balls. Garbage man type of guy who can get out and run too.

I don't think any of this is earth shattering but perhaps this is some insight.

inside information, lets report him to someone or something!!!

[bobbiemcgee]

The guy competed against BE competition all year in practice against with Top 5 talent. He'll be fine.

So did Larry and Makinde.

[GIMMFD]

So did Larry and Makinde.

To be fair Makinde was in his first taste of college basketball, while Rasid has played granted in a lower league, but that experience in itself is pretty valuable. Larry and Rasid are different positions, so it's kind of like comparing apples to oranges, he doesn't have a jump-shot, which is very necessary for a guard, Gaston doesn't "technically" need one, but would be a nice addition, especially if the reports of him being comfortable around 15 ft are true.

[GoMuskies]

I hope he's really comfortable at 15 feet. But not for a jumper.

[xu82]

I hope he's really comfortable at 15 feet. But not for a jumper.

There is a special line they draw there. All our guys need to be comfortable at that special line. Especially our guards who handle the ball at the end of the game. An area for improvement for some.