Nanaimo’s highest-scoring high schooler will be staying in the Harbour City.
The Vancouver Island University Mariners men’s basketball team announced last week that Bryson Cox of Woodlands Secondary School has committed to the program for 2013-14.
The 6-foot-3 Cox, who can play the 1, 2 or 3 position, was the most prolific scorer in local high school hoops from the last decade.
“He has a lot of skill, a bit of size for a guard position,” said Matt Kuzminski, VIU coach. “He can really shoot the ball and I think he’ll definitely be someone, going forward, [who] can be a big part of the program.”
Cox is used to being central in the offence but will have a different role as a rookie moving up to the college level.
“At Woodlands he had to take on a scoring role just because of the team makeup,” said Kuzminski. “Here he’ll be playing with better players and he’ll be playing against tougher competition. It’ll take some time for him to adjust to the level but I think he’s going to adjust well.”
The VIU Mariners also announced the signing of Liam Horne, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Oak Bay.
“He’s more of a traditional point guard, a good set-up man,” Kuzminski said. “He plays with a really good pace. I think he’ll be able to come in and contribute right away.”
The Mariners will go into 2013-14 as defending champions of the Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association, and will have many of their key players back.
Only Tyler Olsen graduated from the program, though forwards Ryan Davidson and Adam Connolly have indicated they won’t return next year.
COURT SHORTS … VIU’s athletic department will be running its usual slate of summer sport camps; this year all the camps will be in August. Basketball camps are open to boys 11-18 and girls 12-17. For more information, visit www.gomariners.ca.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com