Pastner upbeat about his new arrivals

Including offffffffffffseason workouts and the start of preseason practice Saturday, Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner has had an extended look at all ofhis newcomerswiththe exceptionof freshmanguard Tristan Maxwell, who’s out with a foot injury.

He sharedobservationson each with The Atlanta JournalConstitution.

Forward/ center Saba Gigiberia is very skilled, Pastner said, and the 7- foot- 1 freshman’s shooting touch extends to 3- point range.

“I’ve told fans, ‘ Don’t yell at me when you see him on the perimeter, because he can shoot it,’” Pastner said. “He cando difffffffffffferent things.”

Gigiberia, who is fromthe nation of Georgia, has a 7- 4 wingspan and a standing reach of 9- 7, according to Pastner.

“He’s going to have ups and downs ( this season),” Pastner said. “There’s going to be times he shows his ability, other times it’s going to be hard for him, depending on howwe play. By the time he gets to 21, 22 ( he turns 19 in December) — not looking past this year — he’s going to be really good.”

Freshman forward Jordan Meka, who is 6- 8 with a 7- 1 wingspan, has the potential to be a great shot- blocker,

Pastner said.

“He’s just got to learn everything,” he said. “For him in basketball, this game has all got to be about motor, secondeffffffffffffortandthirdeffffffffffffort. When he does that, he’s a goodplayer. He’sbeenagood surprise, apleasant surprise, this fall.”

Meka, who is fromCameroonbut attendedhigh school at Mount Bethel Christian Academy in Cobb County, has “a lot of work to do on ( his offffffffffffensive game),” Pastner said, “but he makes a lot of winning plays, so that’s the big thing.”

Forward RodneyHoward, whotransferredto Techfrom Georgia, has “done a nice job,” Pastner said. “He’s continued to improve the way he’s running the flfloor.”

Howard, who is 6- 10, played in 24 games for the Bulldogs, averaging 1.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.3 minutes. Howard, from Alpharetta, received an immediate- eligibility waiver and is a sophomore. Pastner said that he has been receptive to coaching and shown a desire to improve.

“He’s a big guy, and he’s strong,” Pastner said. “He’s got a lot of strength. He’s got to rely on his motor. His motor has got to be running at all times, and he’s got to be a high- level rebounder for us.”

Guard Kyle Sturdivant, a Norcross High grad and a transfer from USC, has improved over the course of the summer and preseason. In his lone season with the Trojans, Sturdivant averaged 2.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game.

“The more he gets reps and opportunities, the better he’s going to be,” Pastner said. “He’s got really good speed, he’s very coachable, he wants to be good.”

The 6- 2 Sturdivanthas also received awaiver toplay this season and has sophomore standing.

“He’s got to continue to use his size to his advantage,” Pastner said.

CURTIS COMPTON/ CURTIS. COMPTON@ AJC. COM Josh Pastner sees a lot of upside with his players, someofwhomare still learning.