April 16, 2002
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's basketball team signed two players to national letters-of-intent, coach Steve Fisher announced on Tuesday. Travis Hanour and Chris Manker have transferred to San Diego State and will be eligible to play in competition beginning this December.
Both players transferred from Division I Pac-10 programs to Irvine (Calif.) Valley College this past season, where they did not play. They will have three years of eligibility remaining.
The two signees join 6-2, 170-pound guard Brandon Heath, a senior at Westchester High, who signed during the early period.
"We are very excited to have these three players joining the Aztec family," head coach Steve Fisher said. "They definitely have major Division I talent and all three bring winning backgrounds. Travis and Chris both come from Division I programs and Brandon comes from one of the best high schools in the nation. We have added quality people and talented individuals to an emerging program."
Hanour, a 6-6, 195-pound guard, played at Arizona for one season. A native of Laguna Beach, Calif., Hanour averaged 3.2 points, 1.5 rebounds while connecting on 18-of-20 free throws in the 2000-01 season as a freshman at Arizona. That Wildcat squad finished the season 28-8 overall and 15-3 in Pac-10 play. Hanour played in 19 games, including 12 league contests for an Arizona squad that lost in the national championship game to Duke. He was projected to be a starter this past season prior to transferring.
"Travis is a wing player with the ability to score inside and outside," Fisher said. "His versatility should provide us with instant offense and he is a wonderful addition to our program."
Manker, a 6-11, 225-pound center, played at Oregon State for one season. A native of Laguna Beach, Calif., Manker averaged 1.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in the 2000-01 season as a freshman at Oregon State. Manker overcame a stress reaction in his left leg to play in 21 games and make three starts for the Beavers. He made his first career start against Wyoming and responded with nine points on the strength of three three-point field goals.
"Chris provides us with much needed size and also possesses the ability to step out and make the premiter shot," Fisher said. "He brings a level of maturity and intelligence with him and we are excited about him joining the program.
Hanour and Manker were prep teammates at Laguna Beach High after Manker moved to California from Des Moines, Iowa, between his junior and senior years. The two were instrumental in helping Laguna Beach High to a second-place finish in the state tournament as seniors.
"There is obviously a comfort level between Travis and Chris and that should not only help them in their adjustment to San Diego State, but also help our team," Fisher said.
Hanour averaged 25.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per contest during his senior season. He earned all-state and all-county honors and was the Pacific Coast League most valuable player.
Manker averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds in his senior season en route to earning all-Pacific Coast League honors and a spot on the Orange County Register's all-star team.
Hanour and Manker bring the California contingent on the Aztecs' current roster to 12. Only two current scholarship players come from outside the Golden State and 11 of the 12 players that call California home hail from southern California.
San Diego State is coming off a 21-12 season and the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 17 seasons. Fisher, who recently completed his third season with the Aztecs, guided SDSU to the 2002 Mountain West Conference Championship. San Diego State will return six letterwinners off the 2001-02 squad.
2002-03 SDSU Men's Basketball Alphabetical Roster
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Exp. Hometown (High School/Previous School)
4 Tony Bland G 6-5 192 Sr. 1L Los Angeles, Calif. (Westchester High/Syracuse Univ.)
20 Trimaine Davis F 6-7 212 Fr. RS Bay Point, Calif. (Pittsburg High)
Travis Hanour ^ G 6-6 195 So. TR Laguna Beach, Calif. (Laguna Beach High/Univ. of Arizona)
Brandon Heath G 6-2 170 Fr. HS Los Angeles, Calif. (Westchester High)
0 Tommy Johnson G 6-4 184 So. 1L Los Angeles, Calif. (Crenshaw High)
30 Mike Mackell C 6-9 241 Sr. 1L Washington D.C. (Eastern High/Porterville JC)
Chris Manker ^ C 6-11 225 So. TR Laguna Beach, Calif. (Laguna Beach High/Oregon State Univ.)
1 Deandre Moore G 5-10 195 Sr. 2L Compton, Calif. (Compton High/Vanderbilt Univ.)
34 Aerick Sanders F 6-8 198 Jr. 2L Carson, Calif. (Gardena Serra High)
21 Steve Sir G 6-6 192 Fr. RS Minnetonka, Minn. (Cretin Derham Hall High)
31 Andre Torres * G 5-9 170 Jr. SQ Chula Vista, Calif. (Eastlake High)
3 Chris Walton F 6-9 228 Jr. 2L San Diego, Calif. (Univ. of San Diego High)
32 Ben Wardrop * G 6-2 185 Jr. SQ Anaheim, Calif. (Loara High)
40 Markee White * F 6-7 184 Fr. RS Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Poly High)
Year refers to basketball eligibility for the 2002-03 season
* - Indicates Walk-on
^ - Eligible for competition in December, 2002