The four Bobcat seniors that played in 2017-18
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
FAB FIVE: Five Bobcat Men's Basketball Players Make One More Trip Through Worthington Arena Saturday
5/4/2018 1:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Four of MSU Men's Basketball's five grads earned their degrees in four years
Five seniors. Five diplomas. Four years.
The Bobcat men's basketball program celebrated those eye-popping numbers on Saturday, when the program's five seniors each earn their diplomas from Montana State University. Zach Green came to MSU four years ago as one of Brian Fish's first two signings, joining Quinn Price. Green posted an excellent career, although Price was robbed of his by a severe knee injury. They join transfers Joe Mvuezolo, Jr., Benson Osayande and Konner Frey as MSU basketball's 2018 senior class. Only Frey, because he redshirted after transferring to MSU from another four-year school.
"This is really rare in college basketball right now," said Bobcat coach Brian Fish. "First, all of our seniors are graduating. That is a great credit to them and to everyone in our athletic department who helps student-athletes accomplish this goal. But more impressively they're all graduating on time except Konner, who couldn't accomplish that only because he chose to come to Montana State."
ZACH GREEN
You never forget your first, and Zach Green will always be the first player who chose Montana State under Fish to finish a four-year career with the Bobcats. "Zach has been such a steady player and such a steady person for us," Fish said. "And I'll always appreciate that he bought into what we wanted to accomplish here." For his efforts, Green leaves Montana State with a business degree. He specialized in entrepreneurship, and hopes to enter business after his playing days are over. "It was a really good program," he said of his academic course, "a good experience." Before that, though, he'd like to extend his basketball career as long as possible. Green leaves MSU with more than his degree, though. He walks out of Worthington Arena after Saturday's graduation ceremony as the school's all-time leader with 124 games played. "He was always there, every day, every game," Fish said. "He was so dependable. He hardly ever missed a practice, much less a game." There is irony to Green's iron man efforts at MSU, because injury accounts for part of his arrival at MSU. After initially drawing Pac 12 interest as a prep star in the Phoenix area, he suffered a devastating injury that ended his senior season moments after it began. "Coach Fish was the one who believed in me," he said. "I'll always appreciate that."
JOE MVUEZOLO, JR.
For a time during his first season at Montana State, Joe Mvuezolo had no idea if he'd ever play basketball again. An irregular feeling in his heart led to tests, tests led to exams, exams led to travel, and Mvuezolo lost a good chunk of his junior season. "I lost some time," he said, reflecting on that period of uncertainty and anxiety for everyone associated with the Bobcats. "It was a crucial time, and I feel like that could have helped me prepare myself for the rest of that season and (the 2017-18) season." But he'll never forget the feeling of returning. "It was cool," he said of the 15 points he netted after returning from that time away. The sense of missed opportunity stemming from the missed time will lead Mvuezolo down paths to extend his basketball career. "I want to play overseas somewhere," he said, "but I haven't chosen where yet, and I haven't chosen an agent yet. I have some good ones to choose from." Mvuezolo appreciates his time in Bozeman. " It's a good place, good people, good environment, nice town. I enjoyed it." Mvuezolo led the team with 19 blocked shots last season, averaging 7.8 points and 3.4 boards a game.
BENSON OSAYANDE
Benson Osayande's journey has led him from the Sacramento area, where he grew up, to Casper, Wyoming, and eventually to Bozeman. He spent two years at Casper College, and the past two seasons at MSU. Osayande completed his degree in community health, but his academic career is likely to continue. The excellent student may attend graduate school, with a career as a physical therapist a possibility. Osayande scored 46 points with 25 rebounds during his senior season with the Bobcats.
KONNER FREY
The most winding journey among Montana State's 2018 senior class belongs to Konner Frey, a Utah native who spent time at a junior college in Wyoming, at Utah State, and at Utah Valley before he arrived at Montana State. That was punctuated by time as an LDS Missionary in Malaysia, where he learned to speak fluent Mandarin Chinese. "I was with one other individual but they couldn't speak much Chinese," he said, "so we pretty much had to figure it out. If we wanted to go get food we had to figure out how we were going to go about ordering food, if we were asking directions we had to figure that out. It was definitely sink or swim, survival mode at first, but fortunately I was able to pick up on it relatively quick and the Chinese people were awesome in helping me learn it, as well." After eight months there he proceeded to Singapore for a year. He earned his degree in political science with a minor in international relations. A business career domestically seems on the immediate horizon for Frey, who was married just prior to his senior season, but his mastery of Mandarin added a different dimensino to his senior year. It also presents future professional opportunities down the road. "It's to be determined (what that will be)," but I'm glad I have the (Chinese language skill), for sure." Frey finished his only season with the Cats as the team's second-leading rebounder with 5.0 per game, chipping in 7.0 points.
QUINN PRICE
Like Green, Quinn Price was a prep star in the Phoenix area who found himself at MSU after an injury ended his senior season almost before it began. Price played in 23 games as a freshman in 2014-15, scoring 21 points with 44 rebounds. But Price battled knee problems that season, and post-season surgery ended his career. The production and playing time wasn't what anyone envisioned at the beginning for the athletic post player, but Fish will always remember Price fondly. "Injuries are part of sports, and when Quinn had to retire because of injuries we lost a really promising player," Fish said. "He lost to the opportunity to continue playing the sport he loves, but he took advantage of what basketball gave him by getting his degree."
That commitment to education will drive Price to success in life, Fish said, and will continue to endear him to his head coach. "I'll always be proud of Quinn for finishing his degree."
The Bobcat men's basketball program celebrated those eye-popping numbers on Saturday, when the program's five seniors each earn their diplomas from Montana State University. Zach Green came to MSU four years ago as one of Brian Fish's first two signings, joining Quinn Price. Green posted an excellent career, although Price was robbed of his by a severe knee injury. They join transfers Joe Mvuezolo, Jr., Benson Osayande and Konner Frey as MSU basketball's 2018 senior class. Only Frey, because he redshirted after transferring to MSU from another four-year school.
"This is really rare in college basketball right now," said Bobcat coach Brian Fish. "First, all of our seniors are graduating. That is a great credit to them and to everyone in our athletic department who helps student-athletes accomplish this goal. But more impressively they're all graduating on time except Konner, who couldn't accomplish that only because he chose to come to Montana State."
ZACH GREEN
You never forget your first, and Zach Green will always be the first player who chose Montana State under Fish to finish a four-year career with the Bobcats. "Zach has been such a steady player and such a steady person for us," Fish said. "And I'll always appreciate that he bought into what we wanted to accomplish here." For his efforts, Green leaves Montana State with a business degree. He specialized in entrepreneurship, and hopes to enter business after his playing days are over. "It was a really good program," he said of his academic course, "a good experience." Before that, though, he'd like to extend his basketball career as long as possible. Green leaves MSU with more than his degree, though. He walks out of Worthington Arena after Saturday's graduation ceremony as the school's all-time leader with 124 games played. "He was always there, every day, every game," Fish said. "He was so dependable. He hardly ever missed a practice, much less a game." There is irony to Green's iron man efforts at MSU, because injury accounts for part of his arrival at MSU. After initially drawing Pac 12 interest as a prep star in the Phoenix area, he suffered a devastating injury that ended his senior season moments after it began. "Coach Fish was the one who believed in me," he said. "I'll always appreciate that."
JOE MVUEZOLO, JR.
For a time during his first season at Montana State, Joe Mvuezolo had no idea if he'd ever play basketball again. An irregular feeling in his heart led to tests, tests led to exams, exams led to travel, and Mvuezolo lost a good chunk of his junior season. "I lost some time," he said, reflecting on that period of uncertainty and anxiety for everyone associated with the Bobcats. "It was a crucial time, and I feel like that could have helped me prepare myself for the rest of that season and (the 2017-18) season." But he'll never forget the feeling of returning. "It was cool," he said of the 15 points he netted after returning from that time away. The sense of missed opportunity stemming from the missed time will lead Mvuezolo down paths to extend his basketball career. "I want to play overseas somewhere," he said, "but I haven't chosen where yet, and I haven't chosen an agent yet. I have some good ones to choose from." Mvuezolo appreciates his time in Bozeman. " It's a good place, good people, good environment, nice town. I enjoyed it." Mvuezolo led the team with 19 blocked shots last season, averaging 7.8 points and 3.4 boards a game.
BENSON OSAYANDE
Benson Osayande's journey has led him from the Sacramento area, where he grew up, to Casper, Wyoming, and eventually to Bozeman. He spent two years at Casper College, and the past two seasons at MSU. Osayande completed his degree in community health, but his academic career is likely to continue. The excellent student may attend graduate school, with a career as a physical therapist a possibility. Osayande scored 46 points with 25 rebounds during his senior season with the Bobcats.
KONNER FREY
The most winding journey among Montana State's 2018 senior class belongs to Konner Frey, a Utah native who spent time at a junior college in Wyoming, at Utah State, and at Utah Valley before he arrived at Montana State. That was punctuated by time as an LDS Missionary in Malaysia, where he learned to speak fluent Mandarin Chinese. "I was with one other individual but they couldn't speak much Chinese," he said, "so we pretty much had to figure it out. If we wanted to go get food we had to figure out how we were going to go about ordering food, if we were asking directions we had to figure that out. It was definitely sink or swim, survival mode at first, but fortunately I was able to pick up on it relatively quick and the Chinese people were awesome in helping me learn it, as well." After eight months there he proceeded to Singapore for a year. He earned his degree in political science with a minor in international relations. A business career domestically seems on the immediate horizon for Frey, who was married just prior to his senior season, but his mastery of Mandarin added a different dimensino to his senior year. It also presents future professional opportunities down the road. "It's to be determined (what that will be)," but I'm glad I have the (Chinese language skill), for sure." Frey finished his only season with the Cats as the team's second-leading rebounder with 5.0 per game, chipping in 7.0 points.
QUINN PRICE
Like Green, Quinn Price was a prep star in the Phoenix area who found himself at MSU after an injury ended his senior season almost before it began. Price played in 23 games as a freshman in 2014-15, scoring 21 points with 44 rebounds. But Price battled knee problems that season, and post-season surgery ended his career. The production and playing time wasn't what anyone envisioned at the beginning for the athletic post player, but Fish will always remember Price fondly. "Injuries are part of sports, and when Quinn had to retire because of injuries we lost a really promising player," Fish said. "He lost to the opportunity to continue playing the sport he loves, but he took advantage of what basketball gave him by getting his degree."
That commitment to education will drive Price to success in life, Fish said, and will continue to endear him to his head coach. "I'll always be proud of Quinn for finishing his degree."
Players Mentioned
Thursday, March 03
Friday, November 05
Monday, November 01
Sunday, October 31
