A pair of redshirts bolster the Wildcats

Coach Greg Clink's Chico State Wildcats finished 19-11 overall in the 2012-13 season, 14-8 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play before falling to Cal Poly Pomona in both the conference tournament championship game and then the opening round of the DII national tournament.

Yes, full-time starters Demario Sims (the leaders in assists) and 7-foot Jason Conrad are graduating and will be missed but the Wildcat recruiting process has brought in freshman big Isaiah Ellis and senior sharpshooter Jordan Estrada thus far.

Overlooked, though, are a pair of freshman talents who redshirted this past season.

They are:

* Robert Duncan, G, 6-2, 175 (Granite Bay High)

* Trevor Priest, G, 6-6, 185 (Santa Teresa High)  

Each in his own way will contribute to the success of Chico State come November and moving forward.

Duncan was a solid high school scorer with good athleticism and, although the Wildcat backcourt is crowded, he should be a rotation guy because of his shooting prowess and court IQ. It will be interesting if he plays more at the point since that appears to be a need.

Priest is the son of a high school coach and his primary need while on the sidelines was to add weight and strength. He'll be another smart-playing point producer.

6-foot-5 senior-to-be Amir (Franklin High) Carraway, 6-foot-0 senior-to-be Rashad (Castro Valley High) Parker, 6-foot-7 junior-to-be Jordan (Arcata High) Semple and 6-foot-5 senior-to-be Sean Park each returns and this quartet turned out to be #1, #2, #4 and #5 in scoring for the Wildcats in 2012-13 so point production should be there for Coach Clink.