Matt Bradley, Adam Seiko make announcements about SDSU future

Senior guards Matt Bradley and Adam Seiko combined to shoot 7 of 8 behind the 3-point line in the first half of Monday night’s 73-66 win at Wyoming that may have put San Diego State into the NCAA Tournament no matter what happens at the conference tournament next week.

If you liked that, there’s a good chance you’ll see more of them next season.

SDSU announced Tuesday that Bradley and Seiko will not participate in Senior Night festivities before Thursday’s 8 p.m. game against Fresno State, a strong indication they intend to exercise their NCAA option for an extra “COVID year” and play next season for the Aztecs.

Seiko, a “3 and D” guy who has started 14 career games but primarily comes off the bench, had hinted about returning for a sixth year on the Mesa (he redshirted as a true freshman, then played the last four seasons). Bradley had not, saying when he transferred from Cal last spring he would play one season and then decide.

Their announcements aren’t binding, and Bradley can technically test the NBA Draft waters this spring. But he admitted he “wouldn’t be surprised” if he skips it entirely and focuses on preparing for the 2022-23 collegiate season instead.

“As things stand right now, I 100 percent plan on playing next season at San Diego State,” Bradley told the Union-Tribune. “That’s the decision that has been made by me and my family. I think that’s the best decision for me right now from an education and athlete standpoint. That’s what I’m standing by.”

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound guard from Riverside has adjusted nicely to SDSU’s offensive and defensive systems — his 30 points Monday are a career high and his 17.2-point average leads the team — and told people this is the happiest he has been at any level of basketball. He also needs at least another semester to complete an undergraduate degree in criminal justice.

“Coming from where I’m from, you have a lot of talented guys who can play basketball better than me or just as well as me but they never had that foundation academically to fall back on,” Bradley said. “A lot of them are Black individuals. I’ve seen what they’ve had to go through. That definitely put a big emphasis on getting my education, because I know eventually the ball is going to stop bouncing and I’m going to have to lean back on that one day.”

Why not finish his degree while playing professionally?

“It’s tough enough being a student-athlete,” Bradley said. “Being a professional athlete-student, I’ve heard of people doing it but it seemed very unreasonable for me. ... I also want to explore some NIL (name, image and likeness marketing) options in college. I didn’t do that this year because I was just focused on coming to San Diego State.”

That means just five of SDSU’s seven seniors will walk onto the floor Thursday night with their families and be presented with a framed jersey: Trey Pulliam, Joshua Tomaic, Tahirou Diabate, Aguek Arop and Nathan Mensah.

Pulliam and Tomaic are out of eligibility, having been “super seniors” this year. They participated in Senior Night last year that was held virtually because fans weren’t allowed inside Viejas Arena.

Diabate likely is gone as well, although he technically could apply for a waiver for an extra year after sitting out all of 2020-21 for COVID-related reasons. Two weeks ago, he said he is leaning toward playing professionally overseas, having lived in France, Spain and Japan (and speaking French, Spanish and Japanese).

Arop is eligible for an extra year, but his body may have other ideas. The 6-10 Mensah also could play in 2022-23 but remains undecided, forcing Aztecs fans to sweat it out for another month or more.

He is the anchor of the Kenpom metric’s No. 1-rated defense and the favorite for Mountain West defensive player of the year, the rare combination of a rim protector and rebounder who is able to switch ball screens onto shifty point guards. Put him on next year’s roster, and the Aztecs likely become a preseason top-25 candidate.

Sources close to the program say participating in Senior Night does not mean Mensah is automatically turning pro, only that he needs more time to weigh his options (and transferring to another college program does not seem to be one of them). He is on track to complete his undergraduate degree in May, so he’d have to apply to grad school if he stays. Last year, Pulliam and Tomaic didn’t announce their returns until mid-April.

“Selfishly, I really want him to come back,” Bradley said. “After he heard about my decision, we had a conversation about it and what led to it. His personal goals and aspirations are a little different than mine about what he wants to get out of the situation. I’m understanding whether he wants to come back or not. I’m wishing him the best.

“But if he does come back, yeah, this team is going to be dangerous.”

Starters Lamont Butler and Keshad Johnson are expected to return along with super-sub Chad Baker-Mazara. Add to that 6-9 TCU transfer Jaedon LeDee plus incoming four-star freshmen Elijah Saunders and Miles Byrd. SDSU likely would tap the transfer portal for two guards — a point and shooter — with the presumption that little-used sophomore Keith Dinwiddie will transfer.

Bradley has known LeDee since they were at a high school elite camp together. He’s also seen LeDee regularly dominate in practice this season while redshirting.

“I have goosebumps waiting for him,” Bradley said. “He’s a special talent. He’s a force to be reckoned with. The world hasn’t seen what he’s capable of, and I think Coach Dutch is going to give him the platform to present it. I don’t know what that’s going to look like on the stat sheet, but I know he’s going to have a big impact on our team next year.”

Here’s the math on the Aztecs’ scholarship situation with Bradley and Seiko back:

They began the season with 14, one over the limit because “super seniors” didn’t count against the usual allotment for 2021-22. That dropped to 13 when Che Evans Jr. transferred to UTEP at the semester break. With Pulliam, Tomaic and Diabate gone, that makes it 10. If Dinwiddie transfers out, nine.

Saunders and Byrd bring it back to 11, leaving room for two transfers if Mensah and Arop return — and up to four if they don’t. Starting next season, the NCAA will return to a 13-scholarship maximum for men’s basketball.