Nick Schebetta
Contributing Writer

NICK LOEW

For freshman walk-on Nick Loew, earning playing time and the trust of his coaches will come down to one thing: hard work.

“As a walk-on, I feel that I just need to show the coaches that I can play really hard and give a great effort,” Loew said.

Loew, who has been close friends with fellow freshman Frankie Ferrari since eighth grade, averaged 14.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in his senior season while playing alongside Ferrari at Burlingame High School. The six-foot-eight forward finished his Burlingame career with an impressive 39 career double doubles.

Loew, a loyal Warriors fan, models his game after the Golden State Warriors’ versatile starting frontcourt.

“I try to play like David Lee or Andrew Bogut because I feel that they both rebound really well and are overall team players,” Loew said. Like David Lee, Loew can put the ball on the floor and finish at the basket with either hand.

Although Loew has yet to play his first collegiate game, he’s not afraid to voice his confidence about the future of the men’s basketball program.

“This season I expect us to play in the WCC Championship game and then get a tournament bid,” Loew said. “Long term, I expect to win several conference titles and make a run in the tournament.”

DEVIN WATSON

Devin Watson had an opportunity to replace the void left by star point guard Shabazz Napier at Connecticut, but decided to bring his ankle-breaking crossovers to USF instead.

Watson, who earned All-San Diego Section first team honors, averaged 24 points, eight assists, and four rebounds during his senior season at El Camino High School. The six-foot-one point guard is an offensive Swiss Army knife: he gets to the basket with ease, is a crafty passer, and can step out and hit the three.

“[Watson] is athletic…he can really score it. Not only do I see him as a point guard,” Frankie Ferrari says, “I see him as a combo guard.”

Whatever position he plays, Watson will definitely make an impact for the Dons.

CHASE FOSTER

If Chase Foster can adapt to playing at sea level, he will be a formidable weapon off the bench for the Dons.

Foster, a Colorado native, averaged 20.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in his senior season, leading Valor Christian to a 21-5 overall record.

The Chauncey Billups Elite Basketball Academy product can play all backcourt positions and is a proven three-point shooter. In other words, Foster fits the mold of a Rex Walters guard.

“Chase is a big time athlete who can really get off the floor,” head coach Rex Walters told usfdons.com. “He comes from a winning program and is a competitive, tough kid.”