Men's Basketball Announces Recruiting Class for 2002-03
CSUDH enjoys solid recruiting year with addition of seven key players
July 18, 2002

CARSON, Calif.-Cal State Dominguez Hills Head Coach Larry Hauser announced the signing of seven players to the Toros Men's Basketball roster for the 2002-03 season. The seven players are: junior college transfers Eddie Morales (E. Los Angeles CC), Charles Logan (San Bernardino Valley College), Able Velarde (E. Los Angeles CC) and freshmen Sterling Byrd (Compton Centennial HS), Mike Roche (LB Poly HS), Saul Lankster (Compton Centennial HS) and Ryan Meilleur (Artesia HS).

All of the recruits have the potential to be impact players for the Toros who compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), which is considered to be the toughest NCAA Division II conference in the country.

Meilleur, a 6-8 wide body from Artesia High School who should fill the middle for the Toros for years to come, leads the class of freshman. An inside presence to be sure, Meilleur was a Second Team All-CIF player and will help fill the void of All-Region center Kevin Blunt who led the Toros in scoring and rebounding last year.

Juco players Eddie Morales and Able Velarde both come from nearby East Los Angeles CC. Morales is a 6-0 point guard who has no weaknesses. A Second Team All-Western State Conference player, Morales is strong off the dribble, can penetrate and shoot as well as play solid defense. Velarde, a 6-3 guard, is a strong shooter who can also bang inside. Charles Logan transfers from San Bernardino Valley College. A 6-3 shooting forward, Logan is an aggressive, athletic hustler that defends and plays with a passion. Look for the trio to make significant contributions this year.

Besides Meilleur, three other freshman will join the Toros squad this year in Sterling Byrd, Mike Roche and Saul Lankster. Byrd, a 6-6 wing player, helped lead Compton Centennial High School to the Section finals and to the State CIF Division III Finals. An All-CIF selection, Byrd has a live body and is a skilled perimeter player. Roche comes to the program from Long Beach Poly High School where he led the Jackrabbit's to the CIF Southern Section IAA Championship. At 6-5, Roche is a strong, aggressive inside banger who scores near the basket. He rebounds and plays excellent defense and will fit right into the power forward slot for the Toros.

Rounding out the freshmen recruits is Saul Lankster from Compton Centennial High School. A 6-4 wing, Lankster helped lead Dominguez High School to three consecutive state Division II championships before transferring to Centennial. Rangy and athletic, Lankster is an aggressive slashing type player who can score and play solid defense.

"I can't think of a better recruiting class since I have been at CSUDH," states Hauser who will begin his sixth year at the helm of the Toros program this year. "We were able to bring in size and several premier perimeter players. Add them to the returner's from last year and we just may have the ingredients to be among the top in the CCAA."