Chico State basketball announces a signing

 Sweet-shooting Staniland signs with Wildcats
Transfer from Azusa Pacific brings size and shot-making ability to roster
Luke Reid, Chico State SID
5/23/2011

The Chico State men’s basketball team has announced the addition of some size and sweet shooting in the form of James Staniland. The 6-foot-7 transfer from Azusa Pacific University has committed to Chico State, where he’ll spend his last two seasons of eligibility.

Staniland, a reserve for the last two seasons at APU, was a prolific prep 3-point shooter at Ventura High School where he knocked down 145 treys at a 47-percent clip over his last two seasons. He earned consecutive All-Ventura County and All-Channel League honors and finished his prep career among Ventura County's all-time top ten in scoring (1,233 points) and 3-pointers made (184). He’s the No. 2 all-time scorer at Ventura High, trailing only older brother Jeff.

“James is a phenomenal perimeter shooter and with his size has the versatility to play a couple of different positions,” said Wildcats Head Coach Greg Clink. “He has played college basketball at a very high level and we are counting on him to step in and make a great contribution. We’re delighted that he’s a Wildcat.”

A key reserve at APU, Staniland averaged 4.3 points per game, starting once and seeing action in 37 of 38 contests. He averaged 3.0 points in 21 games of action last season. Staniland knocked down 51 3-pointers over those two seasons while shooting 89 percent from the free throw line (33-of-37).

Staniland was also a standout baseball player (pitcher) at Ventura High, earning First Team All-Channel League and Second Team all-county recognition as a senior after fashioning a 10-3 record with a 1.90 ERA.

He’ll be looked upon to help the Wildcats make a pitch for an NCAA Championship Tournament berth in 2011-12. Staniland is the third player to commit to Head Coach Greg Clink’s squad for 2011-12, joining preps Connor McGrath and Chris Magalotti, who signed National Letters of Intents during last November’s early signing period. McGrath, the San Mateo County Player of the Year, is Serra High School’s all-time assists leader with 293. The 6-foot-10 Magalotti blocked 101 shots this season as a senior at St. Mary’s of Stockton.

Staniland, Magalotti and McGrath will join forces with an exciting class of four freshmen who redshirted last season and nine returners who led the Wildcats to their second straight postseason appearance in 2010-11.