Magalotti from McGrath! Has a nice ring to it, eh? Imagine how good it will sound when they connect for an alley-oop in a packed a steamy Acker Gym. Chico State Head Coach Greg Clink has announced that 2011 graduates Chris Magalotti and Connor McGrath are the newest Northern California pair to ink National Letters of Intent to play for Chico State.
McGrath, a 6-foot guard out of San Mateo’s Junipero Serra High School, has the potential to be Chico State’s point guard of the future. Not surprisingly, he and current Wildcats floor general Jay Flores share many of the same athletic and leadership traits.
“Connor is an extremely talented player. The other qualities that excite us are his leadership and toughness,” Clink said. “We’ve had the opportunity to recruit and coach guards with special intangible skills and he fits that mold. He’s had a great career playing under Chuck Rapp, a well respected coach, and we look forward to the impact he’ll have on our basketball family for years to come.”
Magalotti, a 6-foot-10 post player from St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, is expected to eventually help fill the shoes of graduating senior post players Roderick Hawkins, Terence Pellum, and Chris Sharp. Magalotti helped lead St. Mary’s to a 23-9 record and 10-0 Tri-City League ledger while leading the league in blocked shots.
“We feel very fortunate to sign a student-athlete with Chris’s potential,” Clink said. “He is as big, strong and athletic as any incoming freshman in the CCAA. His high character and great work ethic, developed with the help of high school coach Ken Green, make him a quality addition to our program's future."
McGrath, a the lone underclassman named First Team All-West Catholic Athletic League last season as a junior, averaged 11 points per game and shot his field goals at 52 percent. Serra finished 24-7 overall and 11-3 in league play.
The stats and wins were certainly important to Chico State’s decision to reach out McGrath. Comments like this one he made to Kevin McCarthy of NorCalPrep.com also give insight to why the Clink and his coaching staff targeted McCarthy: "I’ve always liked having pressure on me and having to be accountable,” he said. “I’m willing to push others during practice or when we get down."
An avid soccer player for most of his life, Magalotti turned his attention to basketball once he hit high school. He told Kevin McCarthy of NorCalPrep.com that his soccer-playing days have helped “my stamina and speed. I’m a lot quicker than most opponents.”
McGrath and Magalotti, like so many others who have chosen to pursue their collegiate careers at Chico State, pointed to the ’Cats’ culture for their decision to choose Chico State in their discussions with McCarthy.
"The players were nice and it felt really good, like I was already a member of the team," said Magalotti.
"I was up there on my official visit and loved all the players and coaches and it felt like a basketball family," said McGrath.
Welcome to the family.
