SHOOTING GUARD
2021-22 players not returning: Brock Miller (Graduation; Medically Retired)
Returning players: Landon Brenchley, Conner Gillis, Max Shulga, RJ Eytle-Rock
New faces in 2022-23:
Mason Falslev 6’4″ 180 (247 3*) – Sky View HS, UT
2019-20 (Sr.) Stats: PPG: 20.1 FG%: 54.0 3PT%: 36.0 FT%: 55.0 REB: 8.4 AST: 5.8 STL: 1.6
2018-19 (Jr.) Stats: PPG: 24.4 FG%: 58.0 3PT%: 45.0 FT%: 69.0 REB: 7.6 AST: 5.1 STL: 2.2
2017-18 (So.) Stats: PPG: 20.4 FG%: 54.0 3PT%: 38.0 FT%: 80.0 REB: 5.9 AST: 3.8 STL: 2.1
2016-17 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 13.1 FG%: 55.0 3PT%: 44.0 FT%: 81.0 REB: 3.6 AST: 3.1 STL: 1.3
Original Offers from: Utah, Utah State
https://247sports.com/player/mason-falslev-46052863/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/7190690/Mason-Falslev
2022-23 OUTLOOK
In regards to the NCAA-mandated eligibility freeze from the 2020 season, what I’ve learned is that the player’s eligibility will continue to accrue. Once the player reaches his 4th or 5th season, depending on if the player uses a redshirt season, the player will have the option to return to school for a 5th or 6th season and continue playing one more season. The player will then move from being listed as a senior (Sr.) to a graduate senior (Gr-Sr.)
I think after a strong summer and fall, junior Max Shulga might lay claim to the top spot at this position. As a sophomore during the 2021-22 season, he played in 32 games with 2 starts. He averaged 4.4 points per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor, 45.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 77.6 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.1 boards per contest and 1.1 assists. He also chipped in 21 steals and blocked 2 shots during the year. As a true freshman in 2020-21, Shulga appeared in 23 games during the year, and averaged 1.6 points per game, while shooting 34.2 percent from the floor, 30.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 83.3 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 1.8 rebounds per game. He also added 8 assists and 9 steals on the season. On the high school level during the 2019-20 season at Basketball School of Excellence (Spain), Shulga scored 16.0 points per game, while also showing a knack for drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line an average of 3.8 times per game. He also competed with the Under-18 Ukrainian National Team during the summer of 2019 averaging 13.3 points per game, while shooting 61.9 percent from the floor and 52.9 percent from behind the 3-point line. He averaged 7.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest. Shulga has good size for a player his age. His biggest asset is his shot-making ability. He is capable of knocking down jumpers both with his feet set and off the dribble, even when out of rhythm or off movement. He is a complete offensive player who is comfortable creating offense for himself. He has developed good footwork. He can change speeds easily, and he can finish around the rim with either hand. He’s constantly looking over the floor, making pinpoint outlet passes, and is willing to drive and dish to an open teammate. He plays with great intelligence.
I believe that true freshman Mason Falslev has the opportunity to play immediately this season. Falslev joins the Aggies this season after serving an LDS Church mission. He originally signed with the university of utah while he was still in high school. As a senior at Sky View High (UT) during the 2019-20 season, he started in all 25 games. He averaged 20.1 points per game while shooting 54.0 percent from the floor, 36.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 55.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 8.4 boards per contest, 5.8 assists, and 1.6 steals. He also blocked 14 shots during the year. As a junior during the 2018-19 season, he started in all 25 games. He averaged 24.4 points per game while shooting 58.0 percent from the floor, 45.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 69.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 7.6 boards per contest, 5.1 assists, and 2.2 steals. He also blocked 21 shots during the year. As a sophomore during the 2017-18 season, he started in all 25 games. He averaged 20.4 points per game while shooting 54.0 percent from the floor, 38.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 80.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 5.9 boards per contest, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals. He also blocked 19 shots during the year. As a freshman during the 2019-20 season, he started in 23 games. He averaged 13.1 points per game while shooting 55.0 percent from the floor, 44.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 81.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.6 boards per contest, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. He also blocked 11 shots during the year. Falslev is a very gifted basketball player. He possesses a good frame, impressive athleticism, and a great deal of talent. He was clearly the most talented player on the floor and impacted the game at the high school level in many ways. He is a good defender and has the traits to be a really good one. He has good size and length, plus his athleticism allows him to put pressure on ball handlers. A naturally gifted and willing passer, he was constantly looking for the open man and threw a variety of passes at varying angles and speeds to hit his target. He anticipates passing opportunities as well. He is a good athlete, that is probably best described as effortless in his movement traits. He can absolutely explode off the floor with an impressive vertical jump. Falslev is a very good athlete.
Battling for time with Mason Falslev will be graduate senior RJ Eytle-Rock. As a senior during the 2021-22 season, he played in 31 games with 30 starts. He averaged 7.8 points per game while shooting 41.1 percent from the floor, 34.4 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 81.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.3 boards per contest and 1.9 assists. He also added 17 steals and blocked 2 shots during the year. Eytle-Rock joined the Aggies prior to the 2021-22 season after spending the first three seasons of his career at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. .As a junior at Maryland-Baltimore County in 2021-20, Eytle-Rock started in all 20 games and averaged 14.3 points per game, while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor, 40.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 79.2 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 4.9 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per contest, and 0.5 steals. As a sophomore in 2019-20, he appeared in 22 games during the year, starting in 20, and averaged 11.2 points per game, while shooting 39.5 percent from the floor, 36.3 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 78.6 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 4.4 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per contest, and 0.9 steals. As a true freshman in 2018-19, he appeared in 31 games during the year, starting in 24, and averaged 5.1 points per game, while shooting 40.4 percent from the floor, 31.8 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 79.1 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.7 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per contest, and 0.8 steals. Eytle-Rock has a good handle and could see a little time at the point guard spot as well. He has a tremendous feel for running the pick-and-roll and his decision-making ability is really what sets him apart here. He shoots the ball with upper-level efficiency which makes him a threat every time he has the ball. He drives to the hoop with power and he uses his strength to his advantage as he finishes at the basket well. He also uses that strength on the defensive end of the floor, as he enjoys being a “stopper”. He might be the most complete player on the floor for the Aggies this season.
Competing to see some action this season is redshirt freshman Landon Brenchley. After suffering a shoulder injury during the preseason, Brenchley was forced to miss the 2021-22 season and redshirt. Brenchley joined the Aggies last June after returning from serving an LDS Church mission. As a senior in 2018-19 at Ridgeline High School (UT), Brenchley averaged 24.0 points per game, while shooting a stellar 74.0 percent from the floor and 67.0 percent at the free-throw line. There were no stats available for his shooting percentage from behind the 3-point line. He averaged 5.5 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per contest. As a junior in 2017-18, he averaged 19.0 points per game, while shooting 51.0 percent from the floor, 24.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 68.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 4.9 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game. As a sophomore in 2016-17, he averaged 8.1 points per game, while shooting 44.0 percent from the floor, 17.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 64.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.4 rebounds per game and 3.1 assists per contest. Brenchley brings size and versatility to the table and has a high basketball IQ. He can stretch the defense and has a great feel for the game. He is a natural scorer and finds different ways to fill up the stat sheet. He will give you everything he has. Landon is also very savvy in a variety of ways on the basketball floor. He is a natural leader and is coachable. He sees the floor very well and is a good passer. He’s a good rebounder and brings a lot of intangibles that make him a great addition to the Aggie program.
Adding depth to the position is junior Conner Gillis. As a sophomore during the 2021-22 season, in limited minutes Gillis scored 3 points while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor, 50.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 00.0 percent at the free-throw line missing both of his attempts. He did not record any other stats during the season. As a true freshman, Gillis spent the 2020-21 season enrolled at the University of East Carolina but did not play basketball. As a senior at Gaston Christian High School (NC) in 2019-20, Gillis averaged 12.0 points per game, while shooting 40.0 percent from the floor, 34.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 81.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.0 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists per contest. As a junior in 2018-19, he averaged 13.6 points per game, while shooting 43.0 percent from the floor, 38.0 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 75.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.1 rebounds per game and 1.8 assists per contest. Gillis is a good shooter that can score at all three levels of the game. He is a capable ball-handler and that allows him to get to the basket, where he can finish with an array of different shot angles and with either hand. He will provide solid depth for the Aggie scout team.
PROJECTED 2022-23 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
SHOOTING GUARD
11 Max Shulga (6-4, 197, Jr., 2L, NR)
5 RJ Eytle-Rock (6-4, 225, Gr-Sr., 1L, NR) OR
21 Mason Falslev (6-3, 190, Fr., HS, 3*)
0 Landon Brenchley (6-4, 215, RsFr., RS, NR)
13 Conner Gillis (6-2, 150, Jr., SQ, NR)
Coming Up On Wednesday: Small Forward/Wing