He is the poster child for the positive benefits of the portal for the players.
Photo: Tipton Edits
Bears Keep Rolling With Portal Transfer PG Christian Tucker
By Jim McGill
April 20, 2024
The Bears stayed busy on the commitment trail today, adding University of Texas San Antonio point guard Christian Tucker to their rapidly expanding 2024 recruiting class.
“The staff is great. I can’t wait to play for them!,” Tucker said tonight after his commitment “They made me feel so appreciated and that’s the kind of coaching staff you want to play for.
“I loved touring the campus and I’m excited to get out there. The ACC is going to be a great challenge but I know our team is going to perform well in it. If everyone is bought in, we can win a lot of games.”
Tucker is ready to be a part of head coach Mark Madsen’s rebuild and knows exact how he fits in the nearly complete makeover puzzle of the new Bears’ roster as they prepare for their inaugural season in the ACC this year.
“I’d say that my strengths would definitely be my passing, finishing, and on-ball defense,” Tucker noted. “And that’s exactly what the coaching staff thinks that I can bring to the team. I’m a very unselfish player and love getting my teammates involved. Whatever it takes to win games, it’s important that all of us come together to make sure that happens.”
The 6-3/180 rising senior had a unique story on his journey to Cal, fielding no offers and earning a spot as a walk-on at mid-major UTSA to earning a scholarship to finding himself in demand in the transfer portal after a solid junior season where he averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds while shooting a stellar 87.5% from the free throw line (tops in the conference) along with tallying an impressive 2.62 assist to turnover ratio that was second in the conference last season.
Tucker becomes the ninth member of the Bears’ 2024 roster, with four more slots yet to be filled to round out the class.
Related:
Bears Make Another Portal Addition in Minnesota SF Josh Ola-Joseph
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Discussion from...
bearsandgiants
10:26a, 4/21/24
He makes his free throws. And over 5 assists per game? My new favorite Bear.
KoreAmBear
11:03p, 4/21/24
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
Civil Bear
8:07a, 4/22/24
In reply to KoreAmBear
Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
RedlessWardrobe
8:43a, 4/22/24
In reply to Civil Bear
One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
Civil Bear
8:58a, 4/22/24
In reply to RedlessWardrobe
I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
RedlessWardrobe
9:04a, 4/22/24
In reply to Civil Bear
Agree with you about Austin. For that matter you could make a case for Joel Brown as well. But my point is that a point guard is truly effective if he has the ability to hit a three with some consistency to compliment his playmaking. Both Austin and Brown lacked that.Civil Bear said:I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
Growler91
10:03a, 4/22/24
In reply to stu
Best recent PG from an APG standpoint was Justin Cobbs. Loved that dude.
KoreAmBear
5:13p, 4/22/24
In reply to Civil Bear
Thought he was still more of a scorer. But I guess so. Like Justin Cobbs.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
KoreAmBear
5:13p, 4/22/24
In reply to Growler91
Yep he was just a great player for us. Not sure he was a great distributor though. At least from what I recall.Growler91 said:
Best recent PG from an APG standpoint was Justin Cobbs. Loved that dude.
HoopDreams
5:18p, 4/22/24
In reply to Civil Bear
and Paris could dunk!Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
calumnus
8:09p, 4/22/24
In reply to KoreAmBear
Cobbs actually averaged over 5 assists per game over three seasons with us.
I think it is the way Monty's offense worked that makes that impression: Cobbs with the ball at the top of the key, Kamp sets an off ball pick for Crabbe, Cobbs passes to Crabbe, Crabbe shoots and scores. Assist Cobbs. Not a lot of room for classic freelance creation like Kidd.
KoreAmBear said:Yep he was just a great player for us. Not sure he was a great distributor though. At least from what I recall.Growler91 said:
Best recent PG from an APG standpoint was Justin Cobbs. Loved that dude.
Cobbs actually averaged over 5 assists per game over three seasons with us.
I think it is the way Monty's offense worked that makes that impression: Cobbs with the ball at the top of the key, Kamp sets an off ball pick for Crabbe, Cobbs passes to Crabbe, Crabbe shoots and scores. Assist Cobbs. Not a lot of room for classic freelance creation like Kidd.
HearstMining
9:57a, 4/23/24
In reply to RedlessWardrobe
I particularly enjoyed watching Shepherd on those occasions where he ran the offense. On the pick and roll, he was the one guy who would really look for Kelly or Thiemann when they rolled after setting the screen. While not a great shooter (although certainly better than Brown), I thought Shepherd was a polished player with really good court vision.RedlessWardrobe said:Agree with you about Austin. For that matter you could make a case for Joel Brown as well. But my point is that a point guard is truly effective if he has the ability to hit a three with some consistency to compliment his playmaking. Both Austin and Brown lacked that.Civil Bear said:I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
RedlessWardrobe
10:51a, 4/23/24
In reply to HearstMining
Kind of forgot about Shepherd since he was only here for a year. Yes, he was a very efficient point guard.HearstMining said:I particularly enjoyed watching Shepherd on those occasions where he ran the offense. On the pick and roll, he was the one guy who would really look for Kelly or Thiemann when they rolled after setting the screen. While not a great shooter (although certainly better than Brown), I thought Shepherd was a polished player with really good court vision.RedlessWardrobe said:Agree with you about Austin. For that matter you could make a case for Joel Brown as well. But my point is that a point guard is truly effective if he has the ability to hit a three with some consistency to compliment his playmaking. Both Austin and Brown lacked that.Civil Bear said:I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
sluggo
11:06a, 4/23/24
In reply to RedlessWardrobe
39% shotting, 29% from 3, 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. Grading on a curve.RedlessWardrobe said:Kind of forgot about Shepherd since he was only here for a year. Yes, he was a very efficient point guard.HearstMining said:I particularly enjoyed watching Shepherd on those occasions where he ran the offense. On the pick and roll, he was the one guy who would really look for Kelly or Thiemann when they rolled after setting the screen. While not a great shooter (although certainly better than Brown), I thought Shepherd was a polished player with really good court vision.RedlessWardrobe said:Agree with you about Austin. For that matter you could make a case for Joel Brown as well. But my point is that a point guard is truly effective if he has the ability to hit a three with some consistency to compliment his playmaking. Both Austin and Brown lacked that.Civil Bear said:I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
HearstMining
11:33a, 4/23/24
In reply to sluggo
Yup - On a decent team, Shepherd probably wouldn't start. But this was a Fox-coached offense where four players ran around the perimeter; there were never any off-ball screens or back-door motion to punish an over-playing defender. It was a recipe for turnovers.sluggo said:39% shotting, 29% from 3, 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. Grading on a curve.RedlessWardrobe said:Kind of forgot about Shepherd since he was only here for a year. Yes, he was a very efficient point guard.HearstMining said:I particularly enjoyed watching Shepherd on those occasions where he ran the offense. On the pick and roll, he was the one guy who would really look for Kelly or Thiemann when they rolled after setting the screen. While not a great shooter (although certainly better than Brown), I thought Shepherd was a polished player with really good court vision.RedlessWardrobe said:Agree with you about Austin. For that matter you could make a case for Joel Brown as well. But my point is that a point guard is truly effective if he has the ability to hit a three with some consistency to compliment his playmaking. Both Austin and Brown lacked that.Civil Bear said:I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
RedlessWardrobe
1:50p, 4/23/24
In reply to HearstMining
I'm sure his assist to turnover ratio would have been better if he wasn't required to pass the ball to Lars as often.HearstMining said:Yup - On a decent team, Shepherd probably wouldn't start. But this was a Fox-coached offense where four players ran around the perimeter; there were never any off-ball screens or back-door motion to punish an over-playing defender. It was a recipe for turnovers.sluggo said:39% shotting, 29% from 3, 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. Grading on a curve.RedlessWardrobe said:Kind of forgot about Shepherd since he was only here for a year. Yes, he was a very efficient point guard.HearstMining said:I particularly enjoyed watching Shepherd on those occasions where he ran the offense. On the pick and roll, he was the one guy who would really look for Kelly or Thiemann when they rolled after setting the screen. While not a great shooter (although certainly better than Brown), I thought Shepherd was a polished player with really good court vision.RedlessWardrobe said:Agree with you about Austin. For that matter you could make a case for Joel Brown as well. But my point is that a point guard is truly effective if he has the ability to hit a three with some consistency to compliment his playmaking. Both Austin and Brown lacked that.Civil Bear said:I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
oskidunker
2:34p, 4/23/24
In reply to RedlessWardrobe
Hands of Stone
RedlessWardrobe said:I'm sure his assist to turnover ratio would have been better if he wasn't required to pass the ball to Lars as often.HearstMining said:Yup - On a decent team, Shepherd probably wouldn't start. But this was a Fox-coached offense where four players ran around the perimeter; there were never any off-ball screens or back-door motion to punish an over-playing defender. It was a recipe for turnovers.sluggo said:39% shotting, 29% from 3, 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. Grading on a curve.RedlessWardrobe said:Kind of forgot about Shepherd since he was only here for a year. Yes, he was a very efficient point guard.HearstMining said:I particularly enjoyed watching Shepherd on those occasions where he ran the offense. On the pick and roll, he was the one guy who would really look for Kelly or Thiemann when they rolled after setting the screen. While not a great shooter (although certainly better than Brown), I thought Shepherd was a polished player with really good court vision.RedlessWardrobe said:Agree with you about Austin. For that matter you could make a case for Joel Brown as well. But my point is that a point guard is truly effective if he has the ability to hit a three with some consistency to compliment his playmaking. Both Austin and Brown lacked that.Civil Bear said:I thought the criteria was being able to hold their own offensively. Austin was certainly better than Martin, Knecevic, and Singer in that regard.RedlessWardrobe said:One difference. C Tucker can hit a 3 point shot.Civil Bear said:Paris AustinKoreAmBear said:
Love the team-first talk already. We haven't had a prototype PG in a long, long time. In fact, when did we last have one? A pass first PG who could also hold his own on the offensive and play defense? I mean we have to go back to walkons like Martin Smith? Knecevic? Maybe Sam Singer?
Hands of Stone
Go Bears!
MoragaBear
Staff
11:50a, 4/25/24
Give the man a follow!
Cal fans what’s up!!! More than excited to come play for @CalMBBall. Make sure u give me a follow so I can get to know more Cal fans and supporters! Go Bears🐻💙💛 pic.twitter.com/uf8YKAyvN0
— Christian Tucker (@Ctuck_10) April 24, 2024
Basketball Bear
4:18p, 4/25/24
In reply to MoragaBear
Welcome, my man! Glad you have joined us.MoragaBear said:
Give the man a follow!Cal fans what’s up!!! More than excited to come play for @CalMBBall. Make sure u give me a follow so I can get to know more Cal fans and supporters! Go Bears🐻💙💛 pic.twitter.com/uf8YKAyvN0
— Christian Tucker (@Ctuck_10) April 24, 2024