Bulldogs lose one, but gain another

Men's basketball to lose Chris Berry, but the team receives letter of intent from point guard

Staff Report / The Collegian

Fresno State learned who its newest player is on Tuesday, but it also learned who its newest player to leave is.

The men’s basketball program received a signed letter of intent from point guard Dekyron Nicks, but also announced that experienced forward Chris Berry has decided to transfer from Fresno State.

Nicks is the second player to sign since new Bulldogs coach Steve Cleveland took over for Ray Lopes on April 9. Last week, Fresno State received a signed letter of intent from Quinton Hosley, a former first-team junior college All-American at Lamar Community College in Colorado.

Nicks, a 5-foot-9, 180-pounder, played the past two seasons at Temple Junior College in Texas. He earned third-team junior college All-America honors and was the conference player of the year.

“Dekyron possesses all of the abilities that a coach would want any point guard to have,” Cleveland said in a news release. “He’s got a very complete game. He can pass, he can shoot and he can dribble. And he owns great leadership abilities and does what it takes to help the team win. Everywhere Dekyron has been, his teams have won.”

Nicks averaged 14.5 points and 3.7 steals while shooting 36 percent from the 3-point line and 75 percent from the free-throw line.

The Bulldogs, who shot 65 percent from the free-throw line last season, also added another 75 percent free-throw shooter in Hosley. Fresno State ranked ninth in the 10-team Western Athletic Conference in that statistical category last season.

Former coach Lopes had signed two players, Eric Van Vliet and James Tchana, before he announced his resignation.

Van Vliet opted out of his commitment and has since reportedly signed with Montana.

Tchana has reportedly decided to honor his commitment and attend Fresno State.

But the latest player to announce he will not be returning, Berry, leaves the Bulldogs without one of last season’s regulars.

Berry started 11 games for Fresno State last season, as the Bulldogs played to a fourth-place finish in the WAC. Berry, a Compton native, averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game during his freshman campaign, reaching double figures in points in eight games, including his season-high of 17 points against Mississippi Valley State.

“I had a very good conversation with Chris, and he really wants to move closer to home and concentrate on his academics,” Cleveland said. “He’s an outstanding young man, but I think the chance to move a little closer to where he grew up and get a fresh start is going to help him. We wish him nothing but the best of luck in the future.”

With point guard Dominique White also not expected to return, Fresno State now has two starters and six regulars from last season expected back. The team finished 16-14 overall and 9-9 in the WAC.