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San Diego State Basketball: 2016 Recruit Nolan Narain Reclassifies to Freshman

Nolan Narain answered Aztec prayers by re-classifying as a college freshman to redshirt this season.

By erwinism
Nolan Narain - 2016 Recruit.
Nolan Narain - 2016 Recruit.

Nolan Narain is a solid commit to the San Diego State Aztecs basketball program and will enroll in classes this August. After a rocky summer starting with the defection of Brodricks Jones then following Matt Shrigley’s torn ACL, this is good news for the San Diego State basketball team.

Because of the Canadian school system, Narain had a flexible decision to either stay in high school for the upcoming school year or go into a college program. After the events this summer, Narain had the ultimate choice of suiting up in black and red.

With the immediate need for a player off the bench in what's expected to be a seven-player roation, Narain could in theory play this season. Without Shrigley or Jones in front of him, it would be an easier path to playing time. It’s definitely tempting for Narain to play immediately, but the kid has the smarts to know that he must learn to play his position strong.

Narain on playing this season:
"For me to take the year off and develop, it just makes so much sense to me. I just want to be better and more prepared for that 2016 season. I really want to be ready."

Having Narain for 2016 will be solid for Steve Fisher's roster. Skylar Spencer and Angelo Chol will be graduating, leaving the front court unsettled. And with the possibility of Malik Pope forgoing his college career to turn pro, there could be another quirk in 2016. But overall San Diego State looks in better position to play as Shrigley will be back, transfer Max Hoetzel will be available, and incoming freshman Jeremy Hemsley would be in his second year starting at the point.

The way that Narain is approaching his freeman year is very mature. Instead of staying the extra year in high school, he chose to go to college and knowingly be on the bench and learn from practice instead of on the floor. It’s a mature way of going about his development, and one that doesn’t come often in an era of one-and-done.


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