CSU Fullerton Men's Basketball Experiences A Coronavirus Delay

FULLERTON, CA —Cal State Fullerton was scheduled to begin its coronavirus-delayed men's basketball season Wednesday by playing host to Bethesda University in a non-conference game, trying to rebound from an 11-20 season. The already coronavirus-delayed men's basketball season opener planned for Wednesday at Titan Gym was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test in the Bethesda program.

In November, Cal State Fullerton University announced a player had tested positive for COVID-19. The Titans quarantined for 14 days, and the player to self-isolate for 10 days, per the NCAA protocol. According to Cal State Fullerton's athletic department, a decision on rescheduling the game will be made no later than Friday afternoon.

Cal State Fullerton had been scheduled to open the season on Nov. 25 against the University of San Diego in the Husky Classic in Seattle. The multi-team event was canceled on Nov. 21 because of the COVID-19-related shutdowns of the Titans' and Toreros' programs and the uncertainty of Portland State's availability due to its status with the Oregon Health Authority.

Cal State Fullerton returns four players from the 2019-20 team that played consistent minutes— forwards Johnny Wang and Vincent Lee and guards Wayne Arnold and Tory San Antonio.

Junior guard Arnold is the "top returning scorer as he averaged 8.8 points per game last season," a spokesperson said in a news release.

Redshirt sophomore Lee tallied 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. Wang, a senior forward, contributed 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds while sophomore guard San Antonio pitched in 2.6 points and 1.7 rebounds each game.

Eight newcomers are joining the team for the 2020-21 season.

"Two of them are true freshmen in Dante Maddox Jr., and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Josh Hall is a graduate transfer, and Tray Maddox Jr. is a transfer from another four-year institution as well. Then, each of Jalon Andrews, Jalen Harris, Christian McCray, and Landis Spivey are junior college transfers," the university said in a news release.

Anaheim-based Bethesda is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. The Flames are 0-5 this season, against four of Cal State Fullerton's fellow Big West Conference members and Sacramento State of the Big Sky Conference. All the losses have been by at least 44 points, including four by 51 or more.

With a new schedule of play on Friday, hopefully, the game will air on www.BigWest.TV