University of Northern Colorado Athletics
@unco_mbb Adds Sam Masten to Program
11/8/2017 12:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball signed Sam Masten from Highlands Ranch, Colorado to its 2018 recruiting class
GREELEY, Colo. – Sam Masten joins the Northern Colorado program from Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Masten, 6-3, 170-pound point guard, led Rock Canyon to a runner-up finish in the 5A state title game during his junior season. Over the first three seasons of his high school career, Masten is averaging 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
As a junior, Masten was named CHSAA 5A first team All-State, Academic All-State and to the 5A All-Tournament Team. To go along with those honors, he was also named to the Denver Post All-Colorado Team, Prep Hoops Colorado first team All-State, Basketball Colorado first Team All-State and 9News first team All-State. Competing in one of the top leagues in Colorado 5A basketball, the Continental League, Masten earned Player of the Year as a sophomore.
He has earned high remarks throughout recruiting rankings as well, including being ranked the No. 1 prospect for the state of Colorado and a three-star recruit according to verbal commit. Masten chose to join the program in Northern Colorado over other offers from Air Force, Dartmouth and fellow Big Sky member Idaho State.
Coach Linder's Take
"Sam was the first person that committed to us in the 2018 class, and he was a player that we had prioritized for a very long time. Sam is an absolute winner on the court, and he's the exact type of person from a character standpoint that we want to have representing our basketball program. Sam is a big, attacking guard that can play multiple positions and can score in a variety of different ways. At both Rock Canyon High School (coached by Kent Grams) and for his AAU program Colorado Hawks (coached by Simeon Boddie), Sam has continually helped his teams win at an extremely high rate, and we believe that he will help our program continue to rise to new levels of success during his career here," said UNC's men's basketball Head Coach Jeff Linder.
Rock Canyon Head Coach Kent Grams
"Sam has changed the culture of Rock Canyon's basketball program. His leadership, maturity and relentless drive to improve is unmatched. The entire Rock Canyon family is excited and proud of his decision to sign and play at the University of Northern Colorado. Go Sam and Go Bears!"
The Masten Files
- National Honor Society member
- Academic All-State - 1st Team
- CHSAA - 1st Team All-State (5A)
- CHSAA 5A All-Tournament Team
- Denver Post All-Colorado Team
- Prep Hoops Colorado All-State Team - 1st Team
- Basketball Colorado All-State Team - 1st Team
- 9News All-State Team - 1st Team
- Continental League - 1st Team All-Conference and Player of the Year
- Played on the Adidas Gauntlet AAU circuit with the Colorado Hawks organization
The 2017-18 edition of UNC men's basketball team starts its season on Friday, November 10 when they take on in-state foe Colorado in Boulder. Tipoff between the Bears and Buffs is set for 6 pm MT, the game will be aired on the PAC 12 Network.
Northern Colorado's home opener is set for Monday, November 13, when UC Davis comes to town for a 7 pm MT tip. Season tickets for the 2017-2018 men's basketball team are now available! If you are renewing your season tickets from last season or purchasing new season tickets and have any questions, please contact the UNC Ticket Office at 970-351-4849, or stop by the Nottingham Ticket Office Monday-Friday between 10 am and 6 pm. You can also purchase tickets online by Clicking Here.
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @unco_mbb.
As a junior, Masten was named CHSAA 5A first team All-State, Academic All-State and to the 5A All-Tournament Team. To go along with those honors, he was also named to the Denver Post All-Colorado Team, Prep Hoops Colorado first team All-State, Basketball Colorado first Team All-State and 9News first team All-State. Competing in one of the top leagues in Colorado 5A basketball, the Continental League, Masten earned Player of the Year as a sophomore.
He has earned high remarks throughout recruiting rankings as well, including being ranked the No. 1 prospect for the state of Colorado and a three-star recruit according to verbal commit. Masten chose to join the program in Northern Colorado over other offers from Air Force, Dartmouth and fellow Big Sky member Idaho State.
Coach Linder's Take
"Sam was the first person that committed to us in the 2018 class, and he was a player that we had prioritized for a very long time. Sam is an absolute winner on the court, and he's the exact type of person from a character standpoint that we want to have representing our basketball program. Sam is a big, attacking guard that can play multiple positions and can score in a variety of different ways. At both Rock Canyon High School (coached by Kent Grams) and for his AAU program Colorado Hawks (coached by Simeon Boddie), Sam has continually helped his teams win at an extremely high rate, and we believe that he will help our program continue to rise to new levels of success during his career here," said UNC's men's basketball Head Coach Jeff Linder.
Rock Canyon Head Coach Kent Grams
"Sam has changed the culture of Rock Canyon's basketball program. His leadership, maturity and relentless drive to improve is unmatched. The entire Rock Canyon family is excited and proud of his decision to sign and play at the University of Northern Colorado. Go Sam and Go Bears!"
The Masten Files
- National Honor Society member
- Academic All-State - 1st Team
- CHSAA - 1st Team All-State (5A)
- CHSAA 5A All-Tournament Team
- Denver Post All-Colorado Team
- Prep Hoops Colorado All-State Team - 1st Team
- Basketball Colorado All-State Team - 1st Team
- 9News All-State Team - 1st Team
- Continental League - 1st Team All-Conference and Player of the Year
- Played on the Adidas Gauntlet AAU circuit with the Colorado Hawks organization
The 2017-18 edition of UNC men's basketball team starts its season on Friday, November 10 when they take on in-state foe Colorado in Boulder. Tipoff between the Bears and Buffs is set for 6 pm MT, the game will be aired on the PAC 12 Network.
Northern Colorado's home opener is set for Monday, November 13, when UC Davis comes to town for a 7 pm MT tip. Season tickets for the 2017-2018 men's basketball team are now available! If you are renewing your season tickets from last season or purchasing new season tickets and have any questions, please contact the UNC Ticket Office at 970-351-4849, or stop by the Nottingham Ticket Office Monday-Friday between 10 am and 6 pm. You can also purchase tickets online by Clicking Here.
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @unco_mbb.
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Mar 17)
Tuesday, March 17
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Mar 3)
Tuesday, March 03
Steve Smiley, Quinn Denker and Ciara Piffarerio Press Conference vs Montana
Tuesday, March 03
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Feb. 24)
Tuesday, February 24
