FRESNO, Calif. - The 2024 Mountain West Basketball Media Days are set for Oct. 16-17 at the Resorts World in Las Vegas, Nev.
Representing each institution will be the head coach and two student-athletes. For the women's team, Fresno State will bring head coach Jaime White, and Mia Jacobs (junior) and Taija Sta. Maria (sophomore) as its representatives. The men's team will be represented by head coach Vance Walberg, and Amar Augillard (junior) and Jalen Weaver (senior).
The women will begin the event on Wednesday with the men following on Thursday.
Fans are encouraged to follow along with the Bulldog representatives at Mountain West Media Days on the official Fresno State Men's and Women's Basketball and Mountain West social media pages. The Mountain West will also have its live show available for Day 1 and Day 2.
Fresno State Women's Basketball:
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
Fresno State Men's Basketball:
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateMBB
Instagram: fresnostatembb
Mountain West:
X (Twitter): @MountainWest
Instagram: MountainWestConference
Facebook: MountainWestConference
Notes on the Fresno State representatives:
Jaime White, Fresno State Head Women's Basketball Coach
Enters her 11th season as the head coach of the Fresno State women's basketball program.
White has guided the 'Dogs to a regular season championship (2020-21), three 20-win seasons, five postseason appearances and four appearances in the Mountain West tournament championship game.
Holds a .571 winning percentage (104-78) in Mountain West games and has an overall .556 winning percentage at Fresno State (177-141).
Mia Jacobs, Fresno State junior forward
Was named All-MW Honorable Mention in her first season with the Bulldogs.
Averaged team highs of 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds per game.
Produced five double-doubles.
Had 21 double-figure scoring games including six with 20 or more points.
Scored a season-high 31 points at Arizona State.
Taija Sta. Maria, Fresno State sophomore guard
Named to the 2024 Mountain West All-Freshman Team.
Earned MW Freshman of the Week honors three times during the 2023-24 season.
Averaged 7.5 points and a team-best 3.7 assists per game.
Led the Bulldogs in assists 14 times last season.
Had nine games with five or more assists.
Vance Walberg, Fresno State Head Men's Basketball Coach
Enters his first season at Fresno State, and third season as a Division I head coach, previously serving as the head coach at Pepperdine (2006-08).
Walberg came to Fresno State after his second stint at Clovis West HS where he had been since 2016 after spending four seasons as an NBA assistant coach.
Well-known in the basketball world for innovating the dribble drive motion offense.
Amar Augillard, Fresno State junior guard
Named the 2024 NJCAA DI Player of the Year.
List of accolades in 2024 includes NJCAA DI First Team-All American, NJCAA DI Championship All-Tournament team, Region 4 DI Player of the Year, Region 4 DI First Team selection and Region 4 DI Tournament MVP.
Averaged 22.7 points per game to pace Triton College's prolific offense which ranked sixth in the nation in scoring at 91.9 per game.
Finished the season ranked No. 2 in the nation in total points (841), field goals made (296) and 3-point field goals made (122), breaking Triton's school record in points and 3-pointers made.
In 37 appearances he posted 24 20-point performances including nine games with 30-plus and two with more than 40.
Led the Trojans to a 34-3 record and an appearance in the NJCAA DI national championship game
Began his career at Georgia Southern.
Jalen Weaver, Fresno State senior guard
One of two Bulldogs to return for the 2024-25 season.
One of three Bulldogs to play in all 33 games last season, making 11 starts.
Averaged 7.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Had 12 double-figure scoring games, finishing the year with four straight.
Posted season highs of 19 points and eight rebounds in the Mountain West quarterfinal against Utah State.
Began his career at Nevada before playing his second season at Salt Lake CC.