Long Beach State University Athletics
Men’s Basketball To Bring In Two Division I Transfers
6/1/2022 1:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Lassina Traore and Marcus Tsohonis ready to make an immediate impact with the Beach.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – In addition to the four players brought in during the late window and the November signing, the Long Beach State coaching staff has announced two Division I transfers will join the Beach next season in Lassina Traore and Marcus Tsohonis, both coming from the Atlantic 10 conference.
Lassina Traore, 6-9, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
A friend from the same academy as breakout freshman Aboubacar Traore from last season, forward Lassina Traore joins the Beach after one season with Saint Louis. Traore played in 19 games in his first and only season with the Billikens, scoring a season-high 14 points against Harris-Stowe, ultimately averaging 2.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Traore prepped at Victory Rock Prep in Bradenton, Florida and played with Aboubacar Traore at LABASE academy in Cote d'Ivoire. He comes to the Beach with three years of eligibility remaining.
Monson on Traore:
"Lassina comes to us a legitimate inside presence. He moves very well for his size, runs the court well and can switch ball screens defensively. We love his activity inside on both ends of the floor. He can help protect the paint defensively, and has a variety of ways to score from 15 feet in. Lassina has the ability to be an elite rebounder and inside force in our league."
Marcus Tsohonis, 6-3, Portland, Ore.
A transfer with two seasons of eligibility remaining, Marcus Tshonis was the top-rated player out of the state of Oregon before committing to play for the Washington Huskies. While at Washington, Tsohonis started nine games as a true freshman in the shortened 2019-20 season, and then averaged 10.4 points per game, second-most on the team as a sophomore. He scored a career-high 29 points in an Apple Cup victory against Washington State. Moving on to VCU last season, Tsohonis played in 29 games and shot 36.8 percent from three, scoring a season-high 17 points against La Salle.
Monson on Tsohonis:
"Marcus comes to us with a lot of Division 1 experience, playing at two different high level collegiate basketball programs. He is a three level scorer who can get to the basket, has a very good mid-range game, as well as being a threat from beyond the arc. Marcus also gives us another ball handler who can facilitate as well as score. We think he has the ability to be an immediate impact player."
Lassina Traore, 6-9, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Saint Louis
A friend from the same academy as breakout freshman Aboubacar Traore from last season, forward Lassina Traore joins the Beach after one season with Saint Louis. Traore played in 19 games in his first and only season with the Billikens, scoring a season-high 14 points against Harris-Stowe, ultimately averaging 2.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Traore prepped at Victory Rock Prep in Bradenton, Florida and played with Aboubacar Traore at LABASE academy in Cote d'Ivoire. He comes to the Beach with three years of eligibility remaining.
Monson on Traore:
"Lassina comes to us a legitimate inside presence. He moves very well for his size, runs the court well and can switch ball screens defensively. We love his activity inside on both ends of the floor. He can help protect the paint defensively, and has a variety of ways to score from 15 feet in. Lassina has the ability to be an elite rebounder and inside force in our league."
Marcus Tsohonis, 6-3, Portland, Ore.
VCU
A transfer with two seasons of eligibility remaining, Marcus Tshonis was the top-rated player out of the state of Oregon before committing to play for the Washington Huskies. While at Washington, Tsohonis started nine games as a true freshman in the shortened 2019-20 season, and then averaged 10.4 points per game, second-most on the team as a sophomore. He scored a career-high 29 points in an Apple Cup victory against Washington State. Moving on to VCU last season, Tsohonis played in 29 games and shot 36.8 percent from three, scoring a season-high 17 points against La Salle.
Monson on Tsohonis:
"Marcus comes to us with a lot of Division 1 experience, playing at two different high level collegiate basketball programs. He is a three level scorer who can get to the basket, has a very good mid-range game, as well as being a threat from beyond the arc. Marcus also gives us another ball handler who can facilitate as well as score. We think he has the ability to be an immediate impact player."
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