The VIU Mariners are making sure they’ve got the pieces in place to take another run at at title.
Vancouver Island University’s men’s basketball team announced this week the signing of two Americans who are expected to be key players for the M’s in 2016-17.
Hayden Hall, a 6-foot-6 wing player from Clark College in Vancouver, Wash., and Jalen Schlegel, a 6-foot-8 forward from Chemeketa College in Salem, Ore., will join the Mariners program.
Matt Kuzminski, VIU coach, said Hall is a good shooter.
“He’s a quality team guy who’ll be able to space the floor, fit into our system and play well. He can do a variety of things on the court.”
Schlegel will play an important role, as the M’s will need help in the paint this season.
“We needed some size; [centre Jerod Dorby]’s going to be off for a year here, so we needed to get some help up front and Jalen will provide us with some of that…” Kuzminski said. “For a big guy, he’s not your typical power forward or bruiser-type guy, he’s a bit more of a face-up big who will be a skilled passer in our offence and be able to handle the ball a little bit.
“I think we were hoping to get some versatility and these guys will help us in that area.”
Guard John Thompson is moving on from the program, but all-star forward Josh Ross, another American, will be back to lead the returning core.
Teams are permitted to dress a maximum of three international players per game, but the Mariners intend to carry four on the roster, with Hall, Schlegel, Ross and guard Kaz Kobayashi.
Kuzminski continues to build recruiting relationships in the U.S.
“The more we get connected with looking down there each year, the more coaches we know, the more programs we know," he said. "I think the success that we’ve had has helped our case, especially the success of the guys who have come up."
sports@nanaimobulletin.com