Bears Keep Rolling With Portal Transfer PG Christian Tucker
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
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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
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
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