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A Look Forward: Takal Molson

Halldan1

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Jan 1, 2003
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Takal Molson

6-5 205 lbs Buffalo, N.Y.

TAAG Academy

Bio

Sat out 2019-20 season due to NCAA transfer regulations and have two years of eligibility beginning in 2020-21

AWARDS
2018-19 ALL-MAAC FIRST TEAM
2018-19 PRESEASON ALL-MAAC SECOND TEAM
2018-19 PRESEASON ALL-BIG 4 SECOND TEAM
2017-18 MAAC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
2017-18 MAAC ALL-ROOKIE TEAMCAREER HIGHS
Points:
28 vs. Niagara (2/27/19)
Rebounds: 11 at Saint Peter's (2/4/18)
Assists: 6 (2x), last at Iona (2/24/19)

2018-19 • SOPHOMORE SEASON

Game-by-Game Statistics (PDF)

• Played in and started all 32 games.
• Became just the 10th player in program history to earn All-MAAC First Team honors.
• Averaged 16.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in his sophomore campaign.
• Scored in double-figures 30 times. Had eight games with 20-or more points scored.
• Posted a career-high 28 points in a home loss to Niagara Feb. 27.
• His 542 total points are the fifth most for a sophomore in school history, and his 16.9 points per game scoring average is tied for fifth-best by a Canisius sophomore.
• His 542 total points ranked 165th nationally.
• Ranked third in the MAAC and 144th in the nation in points per game.
• Shot 75.4 percent (135-for-179) from the free-throw line, which ranked 10th in the conference.
• Had multiple steals in 13 games. Ranked ninth in the league with 1.3 steals per game.
• Made multiple 3-point field goals 19 times. Ended the season with 55 makes from behind the arc.
• His 205 attempts from 3-point range are ranked ninth-most in school history for a single-season.
• Shot 42.2 percent (176-for-417) from the field.
• Averaged 32.7 minutes per game, which ranked 10th in the MAAC.
2017-18 • FRESHMAN SEASON

Game-by-Game Statistics (PDF)

• Played in and started all 33 games in his rookie season.
• Is just the fourth Canisius freshman (first since 2006-07) to be named the MAAC Rookie of the Year.
• Honored to the MAAC All-Rookie Team as well.
• Named the MAAC Rookie of the Week four times during the season, the most for a Canisius player since 2006-07.
• Averaged 12.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in his rookie campaign.
• His 417 total points are the most for a Canisius freshman since the 1981-82 season.
• Set a program record for points scored in a true freshman debut when he scored 25 points in the team's season-opener at Buffalo Nov. 11.
• Scored 10-or more points in 19 games, the most for a Canisius freshman since 2006-07.
• Ranked second among all MAAC freshmen in scoring average with 12.6 points per game. Was good for 14.4 points per game in 18 MAAC contests.
• Hit multiple 3-point field goals in 13 games.
• Shot 44.2 percent (137-for-310) from the field and 36.9 percent (45-for-122) from 3-point land.
• Grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds in a road win over Saint Peter's Feb. 4.
• Had four double-double efforts. His 18-point, 10-rebound game against Rider Dec. 29 made him the first player in program history to post a double-double in his first career conference game.
• Dished out a season-high six assists in a road win over Iona Jan. 21.
• Was credited with multiple steals in 10 games. Had a season best four steals in two different contests.
• Had a season-high two blocked shots in the team's home win over Marist Feb. 25.
• Averaged 29.3 minutes per game.

BEFORE CANISIUS

• Averaged 20.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game during the 2016-17 season at TAAG Academy in Tampa, Fla.
• Scored 30-plus points four times, highlighted by his season-high 36-point effort against Trinity College.
• Had two double-doubles, including an 18-point, 15-rebound effort against the College of Central Florida.
• Was good for 19.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game at St. Mary's Lancaster in 2015-16.
• Also played quarterback for the St. Mary's football team.

PERSONAL

• Majoring in sport management.
• Born Nov. 1, 1998 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Stats
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4279481/takal-molson

Video highlights


Following a one-year stint at TAAG Academy former basketball standout Takal Molson at St. Mary's High School in Western New York officially made his choice April 27 2017, signing an NLOI to play in the MAAC for the Golden Griffins of Canisius.

Molson, a two sports star in high school, who played quarterback for the football team as well as basketball for St Mary's decided his future lied with the later and spent a post grad season playing for TAAG in Rockaway NY, before committing to the MAAC school.

Despite putting up impressive numbers for TAAG, Molson was not a highly regarded player before his commitment. But despite that the 6-5 2 guard paid immediate dividends for his new head coach Reggie Witherspoon. taking home the league's ROY award in his first season and then was voted to the conference's all first team in his second year.

That caught the attention of Seton Hall's assistant coach Duane Woodward and head coach Kevin Willard and when Molson announced he would be transferring the Pirates, almost 2 years to the date of his Canisius signing, reeled in the New Your native.



Seton Hall beat writer Jerry Carino noted that Molson was hosted by SHU power forward Sandro Mamukelashvili during his campus visit, and they soon discovered some incredible common ground.

“I’ve visited his hometown, which is kind of crazy,” Molson said, referring to Tbilisi in the eastern European nation of Georgia. “Small world. So I’ve got a really good connection with Sandro now.”

Molson said he went there while touring with a basketball team in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. That proved to be icing on cake for Molson, who already was well-regarded by Woodward from his latter days as a Monmouth assistant.

“As soon as I entered the transfer portal, Coach Woodward came right out to see me,” Molson said. “When I visited, I loved everything about Seton Hall.”

After committing Molson had to sit out the 2019/20 season, one that was shortened due the the global pandemic which has shut down all sports activities throughout the world.

Now with eyes on the upcoming season Molson is expected to step into the starting lineup at the 2 guard position. But clearly he will in no way replace the man, Myles Powell, who held that position admirably for the last three years, culminating in being chosen first team All American by the Associated Press this past season.

Instead, Molson, who is a slasher as opposed to a high quality jump shooter will contribute more on the defensive end as a tough nosed physical defender who believes he can guard the 1-4 spots on the floor.

“I’m more comfortable being a combo guard,” he adds. “I can play anywhere on the floor. I’m pretty sure I can guard one through four. I would say my game is toughness, physicality, doing anything to win.”

In short a player who sounds a lot like the just graduated Quincy McKnight, a sit-out transfer in his own right, who through grit, determination and hard work became a fan favorite for the Pirates these past two seasons.

Will Molson follow in his shoes? The coronavirus notwithstanding, Pirate fans will soon find out.

https://setonhall.rivals.com/
 
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