San Diego State's first-ever appearance in the Sweet 16 apparently won't alter the way the Aztecs build their program.
Coach Steve Fisher continues to stockpile West Coast transfers with the length, versatility and athleticism to complement the under-the-radar recruits he has successfully attracted to the school.
The latest addition for the Aztecs is Los Angeles native Dwayne Polee II, the springy wing who started on St. John's NCAA tournament team this past season before deciding that a return to Southern California was in his best interest. The San Diego Union Tribune reported Tuesday that Polee has selected the Aztecs and will apply for a hardship waiver to grant him eligibility next season as a result of an undisclosed medical condition affecting his mother Yolanda.
It's unclear how likely it is for the NCAA to grant Polee that hardship waiver, but either way, he joins ex-Utah wing J.J. O'Brien as the second big-time transfer to select San Diego State this spring. Washington State transfer Xavier Thames and Santa Clara transfer James Rahon will already be key players for next season's team in addition to returning starter Chase Tapley and promising sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin.
Polee would have been one of Steve Lavin's few veteran players had he remained at St. John's to join a star-studded recruiting class. He started 27 of 33 games last season for a 21-12 St. John's team that lost to Gonzaga in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, averaging 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 14.9 minutes.
If Polee follows anywhere near the same path as two other former Westchester High alums at San Diego State, the Aztecs will be thrilled to have him. Guard Tony Bland transferred from Syracuse a decade ago and helped Fisher lead the Aztecs to the NCAA Tournament in 2002. And guard Brandon Heath came to the Aztecs from Westchester in 2004 and became the program's all-time leading scorer.
Sofía Vergara Nicole Richie Norah Jones Nicky Hilton Garcelle Beauvais
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