Cal Basketball: Newcomer Fardaws Aimaq Named to Preseason All-Pac-12 2nd Team

Fardaws Aimaq, part of new Cal basketball coach Mark Madsen’s highly rated transfer class, was named to the preseason All-Pac-12 second team.

A 6-foot-11 forward, Aimaq came to Cal this offseason from Texas Tech, where he averaged 11.1 points and 7.9 rebounds a year ago. He played just 11 games for the Red Raiders due to injury.

Previously, Aimaq spent three years playing for Madsen at Utah Valley, where in 2021-22 he averaged 18.9 points, 13.6 rebounds and was named WAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Aimaq was rated as the nation's No. 6 power forward by Andy Katz

He actually began his college career at Mercer during the 2018-19 season after graduating high school in Richmond, British Columbia.

Aimaq has played 94 college games, totaling 1,178 points and 1,005 rebounds in his career. He has 77 career double-doubles.

He is among the four-man transfer class Madsen landed that was ranked No. 8 nationally by On3. Other newcomers expected to help changes the Bears’ fortune after six straight losing seasons and a 3-29 record a year ago are guard Keonte Kennedy (Memphis), point guard Jalen Cone (Northern Arizona) and guard Jaylon Tyson (Texas Tech).

Eight different programs are represented on the 10-man preseason All-Pac-12 first team, chosen through a media vote. That group includes one freshman, one sophomore, one junior, three seniors, two fifth-year players and two graduate students.

The Bears open their season Nov. 6 at Haas Pavilion against St. Thomas of Minnesota, which finished in a tie for fourth last season in the Summit League. Cal plays four home games over the first 11 days of the schedule.

Cover photo of Cal forward Fardaws Aimaq courtesy of Cal Athletics

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo

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