Vikings add transfers Staveskie and Abidde

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The transfer portal giveth and the transfer portal taketh.

Although CSU fans are now clearing their tears after learning that long-time Viking Jayson Woodrich is headed to rival Oakland, there are many reasons to be excited for next season.

Two new reasons are newly announced transfers Tahj Staveskie and Isaac Abidde (both first reported on by Jon Rothstein via X). Obviously the current condition of the transfer portal has dramatically changed the way mid-major basketball exists, but Head Coach Daniyal Robinson is once again bringing in an intriguing group.

Staveskie, a 6-0 guard, comes to CSU from frequent non-conference opponent Canisius. He only played in two games last season due to a lower body injury but the year before he averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 assists, and started all his team’s 30 games. This outstanding start to his career (following a foot surgery before the 2021-22 season) led to his selection to the MAAC All-Rookie Team for 2022-23 as well as the preseason Second-Team All-MAAC for the 2023-24 season.

Coming from Sandusky, Ohio and also playing at SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio in 2020-21, Staveskie now finds himself between the two at the Wolstein Center. Hopefully his 87.3% free throw shooting comes with him as CSU can always use more free throw shooters. With three years of eligibility left (according to himself on X), he should be a big part going forward.

With the backcourt shored up, the frontcourt also gained 6-9 Abidde from Wichita State. From Albany, Georgia, he never really got consistent playing time for the Shockers. Over the last two seasons, Abidde only started one of the 47 games he played and averaged only 10.3 minutes a game. His playing time was very random as he occasionally was in the rotation then out of it the next week.

Abidde averaged 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds last year, but his talent is super intriguing. He can shoot the three more than a lot of big men (34.5% last season) and also won the 2021 Shocker Madness Dunk Contest (according to The Wichita Eagle).

With shockingly similar numbers to Tristan Enaruna before he transferred to CSU, could Coach Robinson have found another underutilized talent? According to multiple sources on X, he has two years of eligibility left, so he’ll have time to grow.

With these two additions, the 2024-25 roster is taking shape. Although there are still some unknowns (and a spot left to fill), Coach Robinson is once again putting his team in position to compete with any opponent in the Horizon League.

Lastly, as Staveskie is from Sandusky, he obviously needs a Cedar Point inspired nickname. Some options: Top Thrill Tahj (Top Thrill 2), Win-Seeker (WindSeeker), and Cedar Point Guard.

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