Photo by Juan Ocampo

Northridge, CA (June 24, 2015) – The CSUN Men’s Basketball Team has signed forward Rakim “Rock” Lubin, a transfer from the University of Connecticut, and Siyao Sun, an incoming freshman who played high school basketball in Virginia, Head Coach Reggie Theus has announced. Lubin recently completed his freshman year at UConn and will be available to play for the Matadors starting with the 2016-17 season and Sun, who is originally from China, will play for the Matadors this season.

 “Rock is a very motivated student-athlete who will bring true quality to CSUN basketball,” said Theus. “He’s played at the highest level of college basketball and embodies the work ethic and hunger to win that we look for in future Matadors. I think we’ll be able to count on him to be dominant around the basket, and his incredible strength will serve him well in the Big West Conference. Rock is very personable and comes from a great family. We’re excited to have him.”

 Lubin played in 24 games in his freshman year at UConn, logging 155 total minutes. He was listed at by the Huskies at 6’8” and 260 pounds and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

 Lubin graduated from Buford High School (GA), where he averaged 20.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game to lead the team to a berth in the Georgia 3A state championship game and a 27-6 record. He was named the MVP of the Georgia North-South All-Star Game, the Georgia Sportswriters 3A Player of the Year, First team All-State and First Team All-Region during his senior year. He is originally from Miami, FL.

 “Si is a very skilled big,” said Theus. “He shoots the ball from the perimeter and has the ability to play inside and out. In the next couple of years, he is going to mature and have an amazing affect on our conference in terms of his abilities.”

Sun is 6’10”, weighs 245 pounds and graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA. He transferred to Bishop O’Connell for his sophomore year to play for coach Joe Wootten, son of NBA Hall of Famer Morgan Wootten, in one of the most competitive high school conferences in the country.

 Last year, Bishop O’Connell advanced to the quarterfinals of the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA) State Basketball Championships and in 2013 they were the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Champions. Sun has competed against and alongside top-tier high school athletes with the Knights, as well as in AAU ball in the Washington D.C. area.

When Sun’s name is said without the middle portion that refers to his mother’s maiden name, it is pronounced ‘Si Sun.’

 Added Theus, “Si moved to America a few years ago without speaking any English and has really blossomed. I think he sets a great example of how international players can succeed both athletically and academically. Plus, with a name like Si Sun, I had no choice but to make him a Matador.”

Lubin and Sun join University of Washington transfer Darin Johnson and UNLV transfer Kendall Smith as newcomers for the Matadors.