Bulldog Basketball heads to Vegas for Mountain West Media Day

FRESNO, Calif. -- The 2025 Mountain West Basketball Media Days are set for Oct. 23 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 Ryan McCarthy, Emilia Long (Graduate) and Djessira Diawara (Graduate) as its representatives. The men's team will be represented by head coach Vance Walberg, David Douglas Jr. (Junior) and Jake Heidbreder (R-Senior).

The men's and women's media day events will be held on the same day, with the men's session taking place in the morning, beginning at 8 a.m. PT, and the women's session set to follow at 1 p.m. PT.

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 here.

Fresno State Men's Basketball:
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateMBB
Instagram: fresnostatembb

Fresno State Women's Basketball:
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb

Mountain West:
X (Twitter): @MountainWest
Instagram: MountainWestConference
Facebook: MountainWestConference

Notes on the Fresno State representatives:

Vance Walberg, Fresno State Head Men's Basketball Coach

Enters his second season as the head coach of the Fresno State men's basketball program.
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.

Jake Heidbreder, Fresno State, Guard

Begins his first season as a Bulldog after transferring from Clemson.
Returns to the Mountain West after beginning his college career at Air Force.
Totaled 303 points in 2022, which was then-Air Force freshman record in MW era (4th all-time).

David Douglas Jr., Fresno State, Guard

One of four returners for the Bulldogs this season.
Only played in six games last year before his season was cut short due to injury.
Transferred from Green Bay after his freshman season.

Ryan McCarthy, Fresno State Head Women's Basketball Coach

Enters his first season as the head coach of the Fresno State women's basketball program.
McCarthy comes to Fresno after 13 seasons at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he compiled a 309-67 (.821) record
McCarthy was a six-time GNAC Coach of the Year and led his hometown program to the third-best winning percentage and the fourth-most total victories in NCAA Division II over the past decade.

Emilia Long, Fresno State, Graduate, Guard

Transfer from University of Alaska Anchorage
Named GNAC 2025 Defensive Player & Newcomer of the Year
Holds a program and GNAC single-season record with 135 steals (4.1 avg) and scored in double-figures 20 times with two double-doubles

Djessira Diawara, Fresno State, Graduate, Forward

Transfer from San Jose State
Was 5th in the MW in offensive rebounds
Had 14 games in double-figures with three double-doubles

Fresno State Athletics

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Djessira Diawara

David Douglas Jr.

Jake Heidbreder

Emilia Long

Bulldog Basketball heads to Vegas for Mountain West Media Day

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