April 29, 2009

Faison to Join USC Aiken Men's Basketball Program

AIKEN, S.C. – USC Aiken head men's basketball coach Vince Alexander announced on Wednesday that former Winthrop guard Byron Faison is transferring from the NCAA Division I Big South institution to play for the Pacers.

“We are pleased that Byron will be joining us as we continue to build our program,” said Alexander. “Byron is a tremendous player, who will fit well into our system. As an offensive player he can score from beyond the arc as well as by getting to the basket. He is also a great defender. Most importantly for us, he fills a need vacated by the graduation of Kingsley Oguchi. We are excited to have him.”

A 6-foot-1 guard, Faison played two seasons at Winthrop. He will join the Pacers with two years of eligibility remaining. He was a redshirt sophomore last year for Winthrop after redshirting during the 2006-07 season.

During his redshirt sophomore season for the Eagles in 2008-09, Faison averaged 4.6 points per game, playing in all 30 games. Faison started four games for Winthrop this past season.

Faison shot 42.4 percent from the field and 84.6 percent from the free throw line in 2007-08. His free throw percentage was second-best on the squad.

As a redshirt freshman in 2007-08, Faison averaged 3.9 points per game, while shooting 44 percent from the floor.

A prep superstar in South Carolina, the Sumter, S.C. native was the South Carolina 3A Player of the Year in 2006. During his senior season for Crestwood High School, Faison averaged 27 points, five rebounds and five assists per game.

His prowess on the court during his senior year in high school led to him finishing his senior campaign in 2005-06 as the leading scorer in the South Carolina prep ranks.

A two-time All-State selection, Faison is also strong in the classroom as he graduated in the top 12 percent of his high school class.

Faison joins a Pacer program that under the guidance of Alexander has turned around the program and made it a national force in NCAA Division II basketball.

The Pacers have won a school record 52 games over the last two years with the 2007-08 USC Aiken men's basketball team winning the Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship and the 2008-09 Pacer men's basketball team advancing farther than any other squad in program history to the NCAA Division II “Sweet Sixteen.”