Maurice Barrow
Always a reliable presence off the bench, Barrow was a steady scorer and rebounder for the Stag in his four years on campus. In his freshman year for the Stags, Barrow averaged 5.7 points per game to go along with 5.2 boards per contest. He won the MAAC Rookie of the Week Award twice and was tabbed to the MAAC All-Rookie Team in his first year for his solid performances.
His second season saw Barrow move into a starting role for one season. The forward started all 37 games that he played in and averaged 9.3 points per game with 6.0 rebounds per outing for a team that won 22 games.
In his junior year, Barrow honed his role as an incredible role player for the Stags, contributing 8.9 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game off the bench. His efforts earned him the MAAC Sixth Man of the Year Award as the Stags went on to win 19 games, falling in the MAAC Semifinal.
Barrow’s senior year was his best by far statistically. Although the Stags won only seven games, Barrow led the team in scoring with 14.0 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game. He was once again named MAAC Sixth Man of the Year in his final year in the red and white.
At the moment, Barrow is playing professionally in the State Basketball League in Western Australia. He is a two time SBL All-Star in 2016 and 2017 and was named an All-Star in the Austrian Basketball League in 2015. He has signed on to play for the Perth Redbacks in 2018.
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Marcus Gilbert
One of the most exciting players to ever don the Fairfield Stags uniform, Marcus Gilbert finished his Fairfield career as one of the best scorers in history. The Delaware native finished his career ranked fourth all-time in points with 1,661 and second in three-pointers made with 240.
Gilbert was an All-MAAC Rookie Team honoree his freshman season, then an All-MAAC Third Team and All-MAAC First Team selection his junior and senior season respectively.
In his freshman year, Gilbert served as a role player on a Derek Needham led team, chipping in 5.8 points per game to go along with 3.2 rebounds. Upon the graduation of Needham and other key contributors, Gilbert’s contributions to the team skyrocketed his sophomore year at Fairfield. The wing player averaged 13.9 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game and posted a season-high of 31 points against in-state rival Quinnipiac.
His junior season only got better as he chipped in 16.4 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game. Gilbert made a career high 143 free throws and also connected on 56 three pointers.
In his last year in the red and white, Gilbert helped turn the fortunes of the basketball program around as the Stags reached 19 wins and Gilbert averaged 16.7 points per game. He also corralled an average of 5.2 rebounds per contest and converted on a career-high 78 three pointers.
Gilbert is currently in his third professional season as he suits up for FC Porto in the top professional basketball division in Portugal. He averaged 12.3 points per game in this past season’s league play.
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Derek Needham
As soon as he hung up his sneakers in Webster Bank Arena in March of 2013, Derek Needham had firmly ensconced his place in Stags basketball lore. During his four years donning the red and white, Needham was the face of Fairfield on the hardwood, starting all 131 games he played in.
In his first season in Stag Country, Needham won MAAC Rookie of the Year as he averaged 16.4 points per game and 5.2 assists per outing. For his performance, the point guard was tabbed to the Freshman All-America Team, setting freshman records for points and assists as a first year player.
In his second season in the red and white, Needham once again lead the Stags to another successful year. Putting up averages of 14.1 points per game and 4.5 assists per contest. The sophomore was named First Team All-MAAC and led Fairfield to a record of 25-8, winning the MAAC Regular Season Title and earning a berth in the National Invitational Tournament. Fairfield would win their first round game against Colorado State before falling to Penn State in the second round.
Needham’s third year for Fairfield was his least impressive stat wise, but his leadership only improved. He went for 11.8 points per game and 3.5 assists per game and guided the Stags to another 20-win season as the red and white went 22-15 and made it to the MAAC Championship Final where they lost to Loyola by four points. The team finished the year winning three games in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Needham earned Second Team All-MAAC.
His final season with Fairfield was one to remember as Needham posted averages of 14.6 points per game and 3.1 assists per game. The Stags went 19-16 and lost in the Semifinal of the MAAC Tournament. Needham finished his career third all-time on the Stags scoring list with 1,875 points and broke the all-time record for three pointers made with 281.
Currently, Needham is suiting up for KK Mornar, a club team in Montenegro that is a part of the Adriatic League. Needham led the team to the Montenegrin League Championship in 2018. In his second professional season in 2014-2015, Needham was the main cog on Ukrainian Team BC Khimik, propelling them to a 36-0 record and winning the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague Championship and MVP honors in the process.
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Tyler Nelson
Tyler Nelson cemented his place as arguably one of the best players to ever play for Fairfield after he completed his senior season. Number three had a senior season like Fairfield has never seen before, shattering records and earning NBA looks in the process. But the stardom was not immediate, it was the growth over his four years in Stag Country that made him the player he became.
In his freshman year for Fairfield, Nelson earned playing time as a sharpshooter who could space the floor. The guard earned a spot on the All-MAAC Rookie Team averaging 10.2 points per game and knocking down 64 three pointers.
After a summer of working out, Nelson’s sophomore year was a breakout one for the Massachusetts native. He averaged 16.4 points per game and was named to the All-MAAC Third Team. He made 98 more free throws than his freshman year and became a player that could score effectively at all three levels.
His junior season he took over the reins completely with the graduation of Marcus Gilbert. Nelson turned it up a notch and averaged 19.5 points per game, good for second in the MAAC. He was named to the All-MAAC First Team and hit 81 three pointers at a 39 percent clip on the year.
Nelson saved his best season for last as he carried the red and white all season with virtuoso performances all winter. On the year, he averaged a conference leading 22.2 points per game and set career highs in almost every category. He made 230 field goals and knocked down a school record 104 three pointers to go along with 168 free throws. When it was all set and done, he set the Fairfield record for most points in a season with 732. He was once again named to the All-MAAC First Team.
The 6-3 guard set the all-time record for points with 2,172 and three pointers made with 315. His incredible senior season garnered him numerous workouts for NBA teams including the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets. Most recently, Nelson announced that he will be suiting up for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Summer League beginning in July.
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