MSU Denver Athletics

Career: Finished sophomore season ranked 10th in program history in blocked shots per game (1.0) and 10th in defensive rebounds per game (4.0).

2019-20: Versatile defender averaged 1.0 blocked shots per game to rank sixth in the RMAC, while in league play he averaged 1.1 blocked shots, good for fourth. ... Appeared in 26 games, with 20 starts. ... Third on the team in rebounds (5.0 per game) and minutes (698). ... Second on the team in minutes per game (26.8). ... Scored a career-best 15 points in the season finale at Chadron State on Feb. 28, making 7 of 10 from the field. ... Matched season highs of two blocked shots and two assists (matching his career high) while scoring six points in a 66-59 win at UCCS on Jan. 25. ...  Developing 3-point shooter made 4 for 10 from long range in seven games from Feb. 1 through Feb. 15. ... Had a then career-high 12 points and a season-high two blocked shots in a 78-65 loss at Fort Lewis on Jan. 3. ... Had strong effort of eight points and nine rebounds in 66-65 loss to Regis on Dec. 6. ... Scored a then career-high 11 points while grabbing six rebounds and added two assists and two steals in a win over Colorado College on Dec. 3.

2018-19: Led all RMAC freshmen in rebounds (6.2 per game) and blocked shots (1.1 per game). Overall he ranked 15th and seventh, respectively...Frequently assigned the task of guarding one of the other team's top offensive threats, and guarded players at any of the five positions...Averaged 4.8 points per game while shooting a strong 57.1 percent (48 of 84) from the field...Led the team in rebounds, ranked second in blocks...Scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked a career-high four shots against Black Hills State on Feb. 15...Pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds Feb. 1 at South Dakota Mines, his third time in a four-game stretch with at least 10 rebounds...Recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Colorado School of Mines on Jan. 25...Had eight points and eight rebounds in a 73-68 win over Colorado Mea on Dec. 15...Had a quality MSU Denver debut with seven points and eight rebounds against Stanislaus State (Calif.) on Nov. 16.

2017-2018: Redshirted.

AAU: Played AAU for Chuck Hayes Basketball...Coached by Mike Pearson.

High School: Tri-River Athletic Conference first-team all-conference selection twice for Clovis North, and well as second team once...Named defensive player of the year by the Fresno Bee...Had school-record 231 career blocks for an average of three blocks per game...Averaged 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 2.3 steals as a senior....Coached by Tony Amundsen.

Personal: Born Elijah Roy Straughter in Fresno, Calif...Birthday is Aug. 1...Son of Roy and Viva Straughter...Majoring in communications.