2009 FINAL FOUR FEATURED STUDENT ATHLETE: "Coming to America"

2008 OUTLOOK: One of three seniors on the team and he's one of the Bears' best all-around players... He's tenacious on defense, and he's got eyes on this year's Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year award... He's also one of the Sky's best rebounders, regardless of size.

2007-08: The only Bear to start all 29 games... Averaged 5.8 points and 5.7 rebounds... His 45 steals led the team and were the third most in the Big Sky Conference... Scored a career-high 13 points in three games... Had two double-doubles on the season (Colorado State, Montana State)... Had a career-high seven steals against Johnson & Wales... Had double-digit rebounds four times.

JUNIOR COLLEGE (Indian Hills CC): Was a standout player, alongside current Bear Jabril Banks... Averaged six points and five rebounds per game... Helped lead Indian Hills to 58-9 two-year record... Played for current UNC Associate Head Coach B.J. Hill.

PERSONAL: Son of Amparo Palacios and Norka Saavedra... Born in Caracas, Venezuela... Majoring in criminal justice at Northern Colorado.