Former Ripon Christian three-sport star Cade Alger has landed a spot with one of the top NCAA Division I men's basketball programs in the nation.

The San Diego Union-Tribune announced Tuesday that the red-shirt freshman has transferred from Seattle University to San Diego State as a walk-on.

“Growing up, playing for a Division I school in California was always my dream,” Alger told The Union-Tribune. “I realized Seattle wasn’t the best fit for me. So I got in the (transfer) portal, and the dream comes true with San Diego State. That’s a school I always looked at as a kid. It’s just a big blessing to receive something like that.” 

The Union-Tribune added that Alger fills a need as a scout-team player with height. He has sprouted to 6-foot-10, 200 pounds. 

“Wherever they need me, I'm going to do it,” he said.

Alger still has four years of eligibility. He joins an Aztecs team that finished 30-2 this past season with a Mountain West Conference title and No. 6 ranking in the Associated Press Top-25 poll. Junior point guard Malachi Flynn, named to second-team All-American lists by four different organizations and publications, has declared for the NBA Draft.

Alger was an accomplished prep athlete in his time at Ripon Christian, where he graduated in 2019. He led the Knights basketball team to the 2018 Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI championship, and as quarterback helped the football team finish as Division VI runner-up the next fall. Later in his senior year, he spearheaded the boys volleyball team to its first SJS title-round appearance and was named Manteca Bulletin All-Area MVP.