Talented Brazilian big man to join Rams in 2012-13

By Danny Mattie
Athletic Media Relations

FORT COLLINS, Colo. ? New Colorado State men’s basketball Head Coach Larry Eustachy announced Monday afternoon that former College of Southern Idaho power forward Gerson Santo, one of the top junior college big men in the country, has signed with CSU and will join the Rams’ squad for the 2012-13 season.

“We are really excited to have Gerson committed to come play at Colorado State for the next two seasons,” said Eustachy. “He is considered one of the most sought after junior college big men in the spring signing period, and we feel like he will be a great addition for the Rams.”

Santo, who hails from Valencia, Brazil, has spent the last two seasons at CSI in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he helped the Golden Eagles to a 64-9 overall record and the 2011 NJCAA National Championship as a freshman.

He averaged 7.4 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game in 65 career games played with the Golden Eagles drawing strong interest from California and Utah, and spurning scholarship offers from both Washington State and Illinois to come to Fort Collins.

“Losing a player like (senior) Will Bell, we knew that we would need to go get a talented, athletic big man,” added Eustachy. “I think that Gerson liked where our team, and saw a great opportunity to fill a tremendous role for our squad.”