After a disappointing finish to last season and the knowledge that due to graduation this season's roster would be devoid of any seasoned post players, Guelph Gryphons coach Chris O'Rourke hit the recruiting trail hard, primarily in search of a young stable of big men. In 6'7" lefty Matt Howlett (Burlington Assumption) and 6'9" John Brutto (London St. Thomas Aquinas), the Gryphs landed a pair of forwards who could develop into all-OUA-type players as their careers unfold. Although the Gryphs return a strong set of wings and guards, led by 6'3" Jonathan Moscatelli and 6'4" Jay Mott on the wings plus 5'11" Mike Patrella , 6'2" Dan McCarthy and 6'0" Charles Ageymang in the backcourt, there was a definite need up front with the graduation of 6'9" all-conference forward Duncan Milne. With Howlett, Brutto and 6'9" Colton Hood (Kitchener), the Gryphs add significant depth to the front line, which has only 6'7" Adam Bering and 6'3" Nick Walters returning. Hood made it through the open tryout for the U19 national team and may turn out to be an above average CIS big man when all is said and done.
However maybe Guelph's top recruit could be 6'2" Brady Heslip, a lights-out shooter from Burlington Nelson, who has verbally committed. We say "could be" because according to some internet-based reports, Heslip opened some eyes south of the border with a characteristic display of perimeter shooting at a recent AAU tournament. Reportedly, a number of NCAA Division 1 teams have shown interest in signing Heslip for 2010-11 mainly because Heslip has not written his Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT's). As a result, if offered a scholarship to D1 likely will not be able to suit up until 2010-11 at a minimum and would likely attend a Prep School, meaning a 6th year of high school, something that doesn't sound very appealing especially given Heslip is a good student. Heslip is the son of former Gryphon All-Canadian Tom Heslip, a star in the late 70's and early 80's and product of the Vern Lucyk high school basketball factory of Oakville Blakelock, which produced numerous CIS stars including Steve Atkin (Waterloo, Calgary, Simon Fraser), Jamie Zeigel (Western), Mike Voelkner (McMaster, Queen's), Rohan McLean (Ottawa) and Fred Murrell (Toronto). Tommy Heslip has been a strong supporter of Gryphon basketball over the years and following in his father's footsteps would be a tremendous opportunity for Brady who would start immediately for the Gryphs. Hopefully for CIS fans, Brady maintains his commitment to Guelph and enjoys a stellar five-year career as a Gryphon.
2 comments:
They also have 6'11 Dan Latka who was an open tryout invite to the U19 National team....a great attitude and desire to improve make him a real sleeper.
That would be a shame for the gryphs to lose him....especially after the commitment made and do you really want to go to prep school..alot can change in a year..a big gamble.
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