SDSU basketball notes: Aztecs players partner with blood drive for Sickle Cell Awareness Month

When San Diego State boosters were creating a collective to provide name, image and likeness opportunities to basketball players, coach Brian Dutcher made it clear he didn’t want them just handing out stacks of money.

“I want there to be a community aspect to this, to affect lives in a positive manner,” Dutcher said. “Whether that’s a national message on the dangers of fentanyl or that’s a blood drive or that’s camps for underprivileged kids or that’s big brother experiences, I think people feel good about investing in something that helps the San Diego community.

“They can feel good about getting behind that kind of cause.”

One of those relatable causes happens Monday and Tuesday, when the MESA Foundation sponsors a mobile blood drive on campus along Aztec Walk in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank.

Beyond your typical blood drive, though, is the added layer of September being Sickle Cell Awareness Month. SDSU typically has one or two players on each roster exhibiting the sickle cell trait, a mix of normal and sickle-shaped red blood cells but not the debilitating disease.

John Spinosa, a noted local physician, former college basketball player and longtime season-ticket holder, gave the players a tutorial on the importance of the Black community donating blood as it relates to sickle cell. The majority of people afflicted are of African descent, yet only a small percentage of blood donors are — making it difficult to find ideal transfusion matches for sickle-cell patients.

“Blood from donors who share a recipient’s blood type AND ethnic origin provide the best care for patients in need,” a news release about the blood drive says.

“It’s disproportionate how much we’re donating blood, and it’s important that we get out there and donate more,” sophomore guard Miles Byrd said. “I wasn’t aware of that. It was a good little hour we had with Dr. Spinosa. We learned something new and something that can help the community.”

Added USC transfer Reese Waters: “The sickle-cell level in our community is pretty high, and it’s important to give more blood to help somebody else, whether it’s life-threatening or not.”

The blood drive is from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The players will be there to encourage participation from all ethnicities, working in two-person shifts for 30 minutes at various times throughout the day. Byrd and Waters will be there at 11 a.m. Monday.

People can make an appointment or walk in. For more information, go to SanDiegoBloodBank.org/donate or call (619) 400-8251.

Seiko, Bradley to Germany

Adam Seiko has signed with the PS Karslruhe Lions in Germany, making him the final departing member of last season’s Aztecs team to find a home. PS Karlsruhe, located in the country’s southwest corner along the French border, plays in Germany’s second division with games in 1,500-seat Lina-Radke-Halle.

“I love the city already,” Seiko said in a club video. “I think coming to Germany for my first year out of America is the best thing for me. It’s very modern, nice people, they speak English as well. Once I get to learn German, I’ll be a little more acclimated.”

Also in Germany, although at the opposite end of the country in its top league, is fellow guard Matt Bradley. He signed last month with the Rostock Seawolves as an injury replacement after U.S. guard Jordan Roland was ruled out for two months. Rostock, a port city on the Baltic Sea, gained promotion to the top-flight Bundesliga two seasons ago.

Here’s where everyone else from last season’s NCAA finalists landed:

Nathan Mensah: training camp roster with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.

Aguek Arop: hired as SDSU’s director of player development, replacing JD Pollock.

Keshad Johnson: transferred to Arizona for his final season.

Jared Barnett: the walk-on guard is on scholarship for his final year of eligibility at Cal State Northridge.

Triston and Tyler Broughton: the walk-on twins are at NAIA La Sierra University in Riverside.