French connection ready for Cal State East Bay men's basketball team
- December 11, 2010
He likes cheesesteaks and foie gras, and patterns his game after NBA legend Larry Bird.
But don't expect freshman Rodrigue Maza -- Cal State East Bay's French connection -- to soar right away with the Pioneers men's basketball team.
It's going to take time for Maza, a 6-foot-10 forward from Lyon, France, to find his American basketball comfort zone. The 19-year-old will be eligible to play in his first Pioneers' game on Tuesday at UC San Diego.
Cal State East Bay (2-4, 0-2 California Collegiate Athletic Association) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 77-66 nonconference win Saturday over Notre Dame de Namur of Belmont.
Maza, whose English is improving, is excited about finally being able to see some live action. He's been spending extra time working on his defense, rebounding and dribbling.
"I want to help the team on the boards," he said. "I'm a good 3-point shooter. Physically I need to be ready to go."
Maza has a good track record. He led Limoges CSP to the French Second Division title in the 2009-10 season, after leading Martigny to the Swiss Second Division championship.
He's struggled, though, in practice with the quicker and more athletic Pioneers. Coach Will Biggs hopes Maza will give his team a little more flexibility with his shooting and size.
"He is a hard worker and picking things up gradually, but practices and games are two different animals," Biggs said. "I am curious to see how he responds in front of a crowd."
The Pioneers have eight freshmen and only two seniors, and "the transition for our freshmen has been difficult," Biggs said. "Everything is more physical and mentally more demanding and it has taken a toll."
Chalk it up to growing pains, but the future looks brighter.
"I like this team a lot. They are great kids working hard, but they haven't gotten much positive results from their hard work, and that is tough," Biggs said.
Looking solid are point guard Mark Samuels (Berkeley), who leads the CCAA with 16.6 points a game, and forward Will Freedman (14.4 ppg).
Junior Roshun Wynne (11.6 ppg), an Oakland native, is a talented athlete working on his consistency. Jared Waters (Vacaville) is the Pioneers' "Mr. Intangible," Biggs said.
For now, the Pioneers hope the man from France can help them dance. It's Maza time.
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