Riniker Joins Cal Poly for 2024-25 Graduate Season

Riniker Joins Cal Poly for 2024-25 Graduate Season

6/14/2024 10:03:00 AM | Men's Basketball

SAN LUIS OBISPO – One of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s top all-around performers during his five previous years with Division II Colorado Mesa, 6-5 guard Mac Riniker has transferred to the Cal Poly men’s basketball program for his sixth and final collegiate season.

A 2024 NABC All-South Central Region second team honoree, two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year selection and a three-time All-RMAC pick, Riniker will reunite with first-year Cal Poly head coach Mike DeGeorge, who directed Colorado Mesa from 2018-2024.

A graduate student for the Mustangs, Riniker shot 63.8 (111-for-174) percent from the floor at Colorado Mesa last season while finishing second in the lineup with 14.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while recording 14 double-digit scoring outings. Repeating as RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and an All-RMAC first team selection, Riniker helped drive the program to a 29-5 overall mark, the RMAC regular season title behind a 21-1 record and an NCAA Division II Tournament Sweet 16 appearance.

Coaches aren’t supposed to have favorite players, but every coach of any sport who has watched [Colorado Mesa] play over the past four years has commented to me that Mac is their favorite player that they’ve ever watched. No one competes at the same level as Mac. His effort, energy and complete commitment to give whatever the team needs to win is truly remarkable. The Central Coast will love what Mac brings every single night. I’m so excited to have him join us for his sixth and final year.

- Mike DeGeorge, Cal Poly Men's Basketball Head Coach

Starting all 31 games during his 2022-23 junior season, Riniker led the conference with 53 steals and finished sixth with 29 blocks to earn the first of his two successive RMAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also shot 58.6 (95-for-162) percent from the floor to earn a second straight All-RMAC second team honor.

Averaging 10.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for his 2021-22 sophomore season and shooting 58.5 (145-for-248) percent from the floor, Riniker started 35 of 36 outings with the Mavericks reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament Sweet 16.

A native of Steamboat Springs, Colo., Riniker redshirted during his initial year on campus and was a key contributor for Colorado Mesa since his 2020-21 freshman season.

In 111 career appearances and 112 starts for Colorado Mesa, Riniker averaged 9.6 points per game, shot 58.7 (410-for-699) percent from the floor and compiled 45 double-digit scoring games. He was held scoreless just four times.