Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Just as the sun poked through the clouds and sent temperatures into the 80’s here in the Willamette Valley, a ray of gleaming sunlight is also shining on Gill Coliseum for the first time in what has been a dreary spring for Craig Robinson.
Oregon State has announced that Nick Faust, former Maryland Terrapin, will be added to the roster. Due to NCAA transfer guidelines, Faust will not be able to play for the Beavers until the 2015-16 season. The 6’6″ guard from Baltimore, MD, has one year of playing eligibility remaining.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Rated as the 36th best high-school prospect in the nation by ESPN in 2011, Faust averaged 22 points and 6.5 rebounds as a senior at Baltimore City College High School and won back-to-back Maryland 2A state championships. Faust was offered by the Beavers in 2011, but never made an official visit to Corvallis.
Faust played in 102 games as a Terrapin. In 2014, he averaged 9.4 points and lead the team with thirty seven steals (1.2 per game). When the Terps and Beavers squared off on November 17th last year, Faust ended up with six points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Oregon State came out on top, 90-83, in front of a crowd of 14,776, that included The President and First Lady of The United States.
While Faust was highly thought of coming out of high-school, the Maryland-native has struggled to find steady ground while playing for the Terps. Head coach Mark Turgeon has flexed Faust in and out of the starting line up over the past three seasons. Faust has shown glimpses of pure scoring ability, dropping a career-high of 20 points on Wake Forest last season.
Maryland is legendary basketball school, and in a place where talent is fluid, the Terps unfortunate loss will be Oregon State’s much needed gain. Craig Robinson is scrambling to replace his top 5 scorers from last season and his seat isn’t getting cooler any time soon. The Beavers won’t be able to use Faust this season, but his size and athleticism should have an immediate impact as soon as he hits the hardwood.