California Golden Bears Basketball 2016-17 Offseason Checklist

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New Recruits

Dec 9, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears fans cheer during the game against the Incarnate Word Cardinals in the second half at Haas Pavilion. Cal won 74-62. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

On the recruiting front, Bears’ fans don’t have too much to look forward for the 2016 recruiting season. The team only has one recruit signed for the 2016 period after signing two five star prospects in the 2015 period.

Dontae Coleman, a 6’4″ guard from Alabama is the lone recruit for the 2016 period.

Coleman is a transfer from Lawson State Community College in Alabama. He originally committed to Florida Atlantic out of high school but decided that the stage wasn’t big enough for him. He enrolled in Lawson State in hopes of attracting an offer from a bigger school.

Coleman averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the floor and 42.6% from behind the arc. These stats clearly show why he is Butler High School’s all-time leading scorer.

When he received his Cal offer Coleman said, “It feels great. Going into my JUCO year, this is what I was looking for. I was looking for this big offer.”

Coleman’s decision to remain committed through all the uncertainty proves his loyalty to the program. Coupled with his clear athletic ability, Coleman could end up being a nice addition to this Cal Bears’ team.

But no player is perfect and there are some flaws in Coleman. For one, he will now have to play against top competition. The Pac-12 had six teams make the tournament including Cal. He will have to play a different game to overcome the obstacles presented by superior competition.

Furthermore, Coleman was not ranked by ESPN and did not receive offers from any other big name schools. Besides Cal, only Cleveland State, Georgia State and Georgia Southern offered him a scholarship. None of those schools come close to Cal’s prestige.

Coleman could be a diamond in the rough for coach Martin — or he could flop. His loyalty and stats jump off the page, but he must adjust to the rigors of Pac-12 basketball.

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Cal also has offers out to three star power forward Lucas Siewert and no star shooting guard Nick Robinson.

Right now it looks like Siewert will commit to the Creighton Blue Jays. Meaning that coach Martin has missed out on another big commitment. But Siewert has not put pen to paper and after de-committing from Arizona State, anything is possible.

Siewert played in the 2014 Jordan Classic International scoring 10 points to go with two rebounds and two steals, as well as 2-4 shooting from three. Siewert’s shooting ability and size would definitely help the Bears, but the chances Siewert does commit to Cal are slim.

Robinson is a 6’5″ wing from Chicago. He adds size and versatility to the forward position. He has the physical capability to be a playmaker in the paint or behind the arc. Robinson was originally committed to Indiana State, but he opened up his recruiting. He still holds an offer from the Sycamores and St Joseph’s is also taking a shot at him. It is currently unknown where Robinson will end up.

Cal fans are surely disappointed with their recruiting after landing two five star prospects in 2015. But for now Bears’ fans have to be content know they have Coleman and the prospect of maybe landing Siewert or Robinson.

Next: Transfer Possibilities

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