Joining For the 2024-25 Season, Men's Basketball Adds Transfers Breylin Garcia and Chico Johnson
5/1/2024 4:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – As the USC Upstate men's basketball program builds towards the first season under the direction of head coach Marty Richter, a pair of transfers join the Spartan program as Breylin Garcia and Chico Johnson continue their academic and athletic careers as part of Richter's inaugural recruiting class.
Below are player capsules and quotes from head coach Marty Richter for the two newest members of the Upstate program: Breylin Garcia (La Romana, Dominican Republic) and Chico Johnson (Toledo, Ohio).
Breylin Garcia | Forward | 6-6 | 220 | La Romana, Dominican Republic | Daytona State
Transfers to USC Upstate after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) at Daytona State … As a sophomore, named Florida College System Activities Association Second Team All-Citrus Conference … Appeared in 28 games, making 27 starts … Averaged 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds over an average of 21.0 minutes per game … Shot 59.3 percent (153-of-258) from the field, 39.1 percent (9-of-23) from beyond the arc, and 61.3 percent (46-of-75) from the free throw line … Corralled 188 rebounds comprised of 77 offensive boards and 111 defensive boards … Totaled 26 steals, 25 assists, and 12 blocks on the season … Poured in a career-high 30 points behind an 8-of-14 shooting performance versus Albany Technical College on 12/15/23 … Pulled in a season-high 12 rebounds versus Miami Dade College on 2/13/24 … Recorded 20 double-figure scoring games, including two scoring 20-plus points and one scoring 30-plus points … As a freshman, named FCSAA Second Team All-Central Conference … Appeared in 31 games, making 12 starts … Averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds over an average of 19.9 minutes per game … Shot 58.3 percent (144-of-247) from the field, 22.2 percent (6-of-27) from beyond the arc, and 63.5 percent (54-of-85) from the free throw line … Corralled 192 rebounds comprised of 68 offensive boards and 124 defensive boards … Totaled 38 steals, 28 assists, and 13 blocks on the season … Poured in a season-high 22 points behind a 10-of-13 shooting performance versus Santa Fe College on 2/8/23 … Pulled in a career-high 14 rebounds versus Santa Fe College on 2/8/24 … Recorded 19 double-figure scoring games, including two scoring 20-plus points … Attended Life Christian Academy (Kissimmee, Fla.).
Coach Richter on the addition of Breylin Garcia…
"Breylin's toughness, competitive spirit, and physicality is what I love about his game. These attributes are going to help Upstate basketball to have a successful season. I can't wait for our fans to watch him play in the Hodge this coming season."
Chico Johnson | Guard | 6-3 | 180 | Toledo, Ohio | Drake
Transfers to USC Upstate after spending his freshman season (2023-24) at Drake … As a freshman, did not appear in any games, taking a redshirt … Attended Central Catholic High School (Toledo, Ohio) … Received a four-star rating by ESPN … Named the No. 9 player in the state of Ohio in the 2023 recruiting class by ESPN … Helped the Fighting Irish to consecutive District championships in 2020-21 and 2021-22 … First CCHS player since 1993-94 and 1994-95 to garner multiple All-State honors … Named Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II District VII Player of the Year in 2021-22 … Named First Team All-Ohio, First Team All-Northwest Ohio District, Named First Team All-District VII, Named First Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference, and First Team All-BCSN in 2021-22 … Named to the All-TRAC Academic Team in 2021-22 … As a junior, averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game … Recorded 21 double-figure scoring games … Named Special Mention All-Ohio in 2020-21 … As a sophomore, averaged 14.8 points per game.
Coach Richter on the addition of Chico Johnson…
"Chico is a dynamic athlete with the ability to defend four positions on the court. This ability will allow him to be an elite defender in our program. His speed and quickness on the court will allow us to play fast on offense. I love his ability to drive and make plays for others."
Tickets on Sale for Sparty's Ball – Saturday, May 18
Support USC Upstate Athletics at Sparty's Ball, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Upstate Athletic Fund. The UAF impacts current and future generations of Spartans, developing champions on the field, building scholars in the classroom, and preparing leaders for life. Presented by the Sports Medicine Institute, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Sparty's Ball features live and silent auction items, delicious food from Cribbs Catering, beverages, and live entertainment from Under the Sun, and held at a new location, Indigo Hall in downtown Spartanburg. Come dressed in your Spartan best—cocktail attire is required. For details and tickets, log onto www.upstatespartans.com/spartysball.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
Below are player capsules and quotes from head coach Marty Richter for the two newest members of the Upstate program: Breylin Garcia (La Romana, Dominican Republic) and Chico Johnson (Toledo, Ohio).
Breylin Garcia | Forward | 6-6 | 220 | La Romana, Dominican Republic | Daytona State
Transfers to USC Upstate after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) at Daytona State … As a sophomore, named Florida College System Activities Association Second Team All-Citrus Conference … Appeared in 28 games, making 27 starts … Averaged 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds over an average of 21.0 minutes per game … Shot 59.3 percent (153-of-258) from the field, 39.1 percent (9-of-23) from beyond the arc, and 61.3 percent (46-of-75) from the free throw line … Corralled 188 rebounds comprised of 77 offensive boards and 111 defensive boards … Totaled 26 steals, 25 assists, and 12 blocks on the season … Poured in a career-high 30 points behind an 8-of-14 shooting performance versus Albany Technical College on 12/15/23 … Pulled in a season-high 12 rebounds versus Miami Dade College on 2/13/24 … Recorded 20 double-figure scoring games, including two scoring 20-plus points and one scoring 30-plus points … As a freshman, named FCSAA Second Team All-Central Conference … Appeared in 31 games, making 12 starts … Averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds over an average of 19.9 minutes per game … Shot 58.3 percent (144-of-247) from the field, 22.2 percent (6-of-27) from beyond the arc, and 63.5 percent (54-of-85) from the free throw line … Corralled 192 rebounds comprised of 68 offensive boards and 124 defensive boards … Totaled 38 steals, 28 assists, and 13 blocks on the season … Poured in a season-high 22 points behind a 10-of-13 shooting performance versus Santa Fe College on 2/8/23 … Pulled in a career-high 14 rebounds versus Santa Fe College on 2/8/24 … Recorded 19 double-figure scoring games, including two scoring 20-plus points … Attended Life Christian Academy (Kissimmee, Fla.).
Coach Richter on the addition of Breylin Garcia…
"Breylin's toughness, competitive spirit, and physicality is what I love about his game. These attributes are going to help Upstate basketball to have a successful season. I can't wait for our fans to watch him play in the Hodge this coming season."
Chico Johnson | Guard | 6-3 | 180 | Toledo, Ohio | Drake
Transfers to USC Upstate after spending his freshman season (2023-24) at Drake … As a freshman, did not appear in any games, taking a redshirt … Attended Central Catholic High School (Toledo, Ohio) … Received a four-star rating by ESPN … Named the No. 9 player in the state of Ohio in the 2023 recruiting class by ESPN … Helped the Fighting Irish to consecutive District championships in 2020-21 and 2021-22 … First CCHS player since 1993-94 and 1994-95 to garner multiple All-State honors … Named Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II District VII Player of the Year in 2021-22 … Named First Team All-Ohio, First Team All-Northwest Ohio District, Named First Team All-District VII, Named First Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference, and First Team All-BCSN in 2021-22 … Named to the All-TRAC Academic Team in 2021-22 … As a junior, averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game … Recorded 21 double-figure scoring games … Named Special Mention All-Ohio in 2020-21 … As a sophomore, averaged 14.8 points per game.
Coach Richter on the addition of Chico Johnson…
"Chico is a dynamic athlete with the ability to defend four positions on the court. This ability will allow him to be an elite defender in our program. His speed and quickness on the court will allow us to play fast on offense. I love his ability to drive and make plays for others."
Tickets on Sale for Sparty's Ball – Saturday, May 18
Support USC Upstate Athletics at Sparty's Ball, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Upstate Athletic Fund. The UAF impacts current and future generations of Spartans, developing champions on the field, building scholars in the classroom, and preparing leaders for life. Presented by the Sports Medicine Institute, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Sparty's Ball features live and silent auction items, delicious food from Cribbs Catering, beverages, and live entertainment from Under the Sun, and held at a new location, Indigo Hall in downtown Spartanburg. Come dressed in your Spartan best—cocktail attire is required. For details and tickets, log onto www.upstatespartans.com/spartysball.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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