BASKETBALL: Former Federal Way standout Isiah Umipig transferring to Seattle U

Seattle University head coach Cameron Dollar announced Thursday that the Federal Way High School graduate is transferring into the Redhawk program. Umipig, a 6-foot guard, has played the last two seasons at Cal-State Fullerton after standout career at Federal Way. Umipig helped the Eagles to the 2009 Class 4A state championship, the first boys title in the history of the school.

By Casey Olson • April 13, 2012 4:43 pm
Former Federal Way High School guard Isiah Umipig will transfer to Seattle University after playing two seasons at Cal State Fullerton. Umipig averaged 13.5 points a game this season for the Titans.
Former Federal Way High School guard Isiah Umipig will transfer to Seattle University after playing two seasons at Cal State Fullerton. Umipig averaged 13.5 points a game this season for the Titans.

Isiah Umipig is coming back home to play basketball.

Seattle University head coach Cameron Dollar announced Thursday that the Federal Way High School graduate is transferring into the Redhawk program. Umipig, a 6-foot guard, has played the last two seasons at Cal-State Fullerton after standout career at Federal Way. Umipig helped the Eagles to the 2009 Class 4A state championship, the first boys title in the history of the school.

Dollar also announced that Umipig will be joined by Cal-Berkeley’s Emerson Murray on the roster next season. The pair have both signed financial aid agreements.

“We are obviously thrilled to add two quality high level guards. Emerson is probably the most explosive and athletic guard we have had in our program. Isiah is a proven winner and scorer who I have known for years. It’s always a great day when our local players return home,” Dollar said.

Umipig had a solid two seasons at Fullerton. He was named the Big West Conference 6th Man of the Year in 2010-11 as a freshman after averaging 7.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. This season, Umipig started in all 30 games for the Titans and averaged 13.5 points and led the team with 80 made 3-pointers, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition.

Umipig will also keep the streak of Federal Way High School standouts playing for Dollar at Seattle U. Forward Aaron Broussard recently finished a stellar four-year career with the Redhawks.

The 6-foot-5 Broussard was selected to the 2012 Division I Men’s Basketball All-Independent Team. He led the Redhawks in scoring at 18.2 points a game and finished his Seattle U career 13th on the all-time scoring list with 1,455 points. He is also second on the school’s all-time steals list with 161.

Murray is a 6-foot-3 guard and appeared in 57 games over the past two seasons for the Cal Golden Bears. The native of Vancouver, B.C., played on the Canadian Junior National Team.

Both Umipig and Murray will sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but they will practice with the team next year and will have two years of eligibility remaining starting in 2013-14.

The Seattle University men’s basketball team won nine of its last 12 games, including eight-straight home games at KeyArena, in the 2011-12 season to finish with a 12-15 overall record.

The Redhawks will join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) beginning in the 2012-13 campaign and will be eligible for the league’s championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The WAC currently includes Fresno State, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.

Seattle U will be joined next year by Boise State, Denver, Texas-Arlington, Texas-San Antonio and Texas State-San Marcos in the WAC next season.