The 2014-15 school year was an eventful one for Colorado State athletics, and that trend continued throughout the summer. Here is everything you need to know to get caught up:
CSU basketball stars go pro
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Former Colorado State basketball standouts J.J. Avila and Stanton Kidd have signed contracts to play professionally in Belgium.
Avila, the 6-foot-8-inch forward from McAllen, Texas, signed with the Leuven Bears. Avila began his career at the United States Naval Academy before transferring to CSU, where he played his last two seasons. In his senior year with the Rams, he averaged 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and two steals per game, and earned All-MW First Team honors.
Kidd will be playing for Limburg United, a team based out of Hasselt, Belgium. The Baltimore native played for two seasons at South Plains Junior College before transferring to North Carolina Central, where he averaged 14.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 2012-13. He then transferred to CSU, where he sat out the next season before averaging 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 40.2 percent from behind the arc and being named All-MW Honorable Mention in 2014-15.
Former Rams Marcus Holt and Daniel Bejarano both have continued to push for professional futures as well. Bejarano worked out for a few NBA teams over the summer, including the Denver Nuggets. Holt was granted a tryout with the Reno Bighorns, the Sacramento Kings’ D-League affiliate. Neither has signed an official contract with a professional organization yet.
Rams coming and going
Antwan Scott was granted a sixth year of eligibility and will be able to play for the CSU men’s basketball team in the 2015-16 season.
After transferring from Grambling State, Scott appeared in just four games last season, before being sidelined for the rest of the year with a foot injury. CSU released a video of Scott surprising his teammates with the news.
Scott gives the Rams much-needed depth in the backcourt after graduating Daniel Bejarano. He may play a larger role this season, especially with guard C.J. Keyser opting to play next year at prep school instead of joining the Rams this fall. Keyser is ranked a three-star prospect by Rivals.com.
Grayson continues to take home hardware
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If Garrett Grayson’s mantle is not already too full with awards from his time in Fort Collins, it must be getting close.
The former CSU quarterback and current New Orleans Saints backup was named the 2014-15 Mountain West Male Athlete of the Year. The award is no surprise, considering the season Grayson put together in 2014. He completed 64.3 percent of his passes, threw for 4,006 yards and 32 touchdowns and set numerous single-season and career passing records.
Hollywood stays in the spotlight
Rashard Higgins has the entire nation watching to see if he can continue the success of last year.
CSU launched HollywoodHiggins.com to promote the junior receiver’s candidacy for national awards. The Rams’ star has been named to preseason watch-lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Maxwell Award and the Biletnikoff Award.
Higgins was also named a pre-season All-American, and the 2015 MW Preseason Mountain West Player of the Year.
Collegian Sports Reporter Justin Michael can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com.