KENT — Giovanni Santiago's Kent State University men's basketball teammates joke about him being in his eighth year with the Golden Flashes .
The 6-foot-1 guard from Puerto Rico is actually a fifth-year senior, but you get the point.
In an era of college sports inundated with transfer portal news, Santiago has stayed put for what seems like eternity.
Forward Chris Payton Jr . laughed while explaining he's "never seen somebody love a university" as much as Santiago.
The dynamic made it all the more bittersweet for Santiago when KSU won the Mid-American Conference Tournament last season and thereby earned an NCAA Tournament berth while he was sidelined because of injury. It was the first time the Golden Flashes had accomplished those feats since 2017.
"It wasn't easy to watch, but obviously I was happy for my guys," Santiago said.
When Kent State opens its 2023-24 season against visiting Malone at 7 p.m. Monday at the M.A.C. Center, Santiago will be back. He'll return to his natural position of point guard after former Golden Flashes star Sincere Carry held the role the past two seasons, coach Rob Senderoff said.
More importantly, Santiago will serve as KSU's inspirational leader.
"Gio is instrumental with what we have going on," Payton said. "... We have a lot of different personalities, and I think that Gio's kind of mellow vibe really keeps everybody at ease.
"If we have a bad run in the game, Gio is going to be able to get the ball, he's going to be able to hold it and he's going to be able to tell everybody what to do. And we're going to be able to get back to square one pretty easily."
Before last season began, Santiago decided to push through a knee issue he knew would require surgery in the offseason.
"A bone was starting to grow on top of my patella, and it was because of my tendinitis," Santiago said. "We did X-rays, and we talked to the doctors. And the doctors felt confident that if I did everything that I needed to do with rehab, my stretches, my warm-ups, that I was going to be fine to play through it during the year."
However, Santiago suffered a hand injury Feb. 3 against Akron, forcing him to miss Kent State's final 12 games. He also underwent knee surgery as planned.
KSU finished 28-7 overall and 15-3 in the MAC, and its season ended March 17 with a 71-60 loss to Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament .
Carry , the 2021-22 MAC Player of the Year, and guard Malique Jacobs , the 2022-23 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, completed their playing days with the Golden Flashes.
The Memphis Hustle recently chose Carry in the second round (No. 38 overall) of the NBA G League Draft.
The departures of Carry and Jacobs give rise to questions about the strength of Kent State's chances to repeat as MAC Tournament champions.
"Other teams might go, like, 'Oh, this is our chance. We can finally beat them,'" Santiago said. "But we understand that those two, they were great players, but it takes a team to accomplish what we accomplished.
"We all want to repeat because we all feel like we've got something to prove."
Santiago averaged 7.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 23 games last season. He said he committed to "double conditioning" in the offseason, allowing him to rebound from knee surgery and gain confidence.
The reality is Santiago is not a stranger to comebacks. He has battled injuries throughout his KSU career.
Santiago has also learned about sacrifice from the eldest of his three older brothers, Luis, who volunteered to move with him from Puerto Rico so he could attend Hughes High School in Cincinnati and then Hargrave Military Prep in Chatham, Virginia.
When the brothers left home, Santiago was about 16 years old and Luis was 27.
"Without him and without my family, I would never be here," Santiago said. "My brother had to leave his life pretty much in order for me to achieve my dream."
The background story is among the many reasons Santiago has the respect and admiration of the Golden Flashes.
Payton considers himself a leader but one who follows Santiago, who's known for demonstrating selflessness without complaining.
"I've never seen Gio have a bad day," Payton said. "I've never seen Gio come into the gym and pout. I've never seen Gio make his problems somebody else's problems."
Santiago is proud to be a captain. He and Senderoff have discussed how the best teams are guided and influenced by players more than coaches.
"This year, that responsibility is even bigger for me," Santiago said.
The Golden Flashes welcome the direction of a player who has been with the program for roughly eight years, give or take a few.
Sincere Carry's career at Kent State: Point guard honored for prowess in basketball, a game he once gave up
Like Santiago, center Cli'Ron Hornbeak and forward VonCameron Davis are returning starters for KSU, Senderoff said.
Although Payton primarily came off the bench last season, Senderoff has high expectations for him. Payton averaged 6.7 points on 73% shooting from the field last season.
"I think he's one of the better players in the conference," Senderoff said.
Guards Jalen Sullinger and Brenden Moss are gifted scorers attempting to bounce back from injuries, Senderoff said. The MAC's reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Sullinger averaged 8.6 points and shot 47% from the field last season.
Guards Reggie Bass (Central Michigan) and Tyem Freeman (Central Florida) transferred to Kent State. Bass was the MAC Freshman of the Year last season.
"He's a physical player who can draw contact and is a really gifted passer," Senderoff said of Bass, who averaged 12.4 points and 3.6 rebounds at Central Michigan.
An improved KSU player who's expected to become a significant contributor this season is forward Delrecco Gillespie, Senderoff said.
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate LA Hayes is among the team's freshmen.
The Golden Flashes finished second in the MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Head Coaches Poll, trailing rival Akron for the top spot.
Payton and Sullinger were voted first- and second-team preseason All-MAC, respectively.
Entering his 13th season at the Kent State helm, Senderoff said there is more competition for minutes and roles on his team than any other year he can remember. He said his "biggest concern" is being able to identify KSU's new defensive leader with Jacobs gone.
"I can't tell you who that person is," Senderoff said.
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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kent State Golden Flashes 2023-24 men's basketball preview
