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The Winnipeg Wesmen recently completed their tryouts and the Wesmen, who return the majority of their top players including 5'9" Erfan Nasajpour, an All-Canadian candidate, have added at least two probable impact players in preparation for the coming season. Most have known since last Christmas that 6'0" guard Cam Hornby, originally from Winnipeg Glenlaw High School who spent the past 2 seasons (one redshirt year) with South Dakota State (NCAA Division 1) has decided to return home to play for Coach Dave Crook's Wesmen. Hornby last played for the Jackrabbits on November 16th, 2006 so he should be eligible to play on November 17th, 2007 when the Wesmen host UVic at the Duckworth Center. Hornby and Nasajpour should make up one of the top backcourts in Canada West if not the country. Crook also was able to add 6'0" Mike Passley from Toronto West Humber, who has been out of high school for a few years. In addition, the Wesmen recently added 6'7" post Justin Deng plus 6'1" Randy Kezie, a pair of local Winnipeg area products. The Wesmen kick off their season on October 12th and 13th when they hosts the Pembina Chrysler Invitational at the Duckworth Center, a four team event that includes Manitoba Bisons, Concordia Stingers and Fraser Valley Cascades. As well, one of Canada's longest-running tournaments, the 41st MTS Wesmen Classic, which has become a holiday tradition, will run again just before the New Year featuring the following teams: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Brandon, Calgary, Brock, RMC, Acadia and Minot State. Stay tuned to the site for a comprehensive listing of all pre-season and Holiday tournaments on the CIS schedule coming up soon.

Brazilian Basketball Confederation president Gerasime Bozikis was in Spain to try to convince FIBA to hold next year's Olympic Qualifying repechage in Rio de Janeiro as Neate Sager reports in "Out of Left Field" Brazil's on the ball

With only one non-starter lost to graduation, several upperclassmen including incomparable guard Erfan Nasajpour returning and the continued maturation of a solid recruiting class that came in this past season, Winnipeg Wesmen head coach Dave Crook did not have a lot of critical areas to address in this coming season's incoming recruiting class. Still, the Wesmen were able to attract three new faces, including a guard and a big man who should push for playing time immediately. Highlighting the class (previously announced) is 6'0" Cam Hornby, originally from Winnipeg Glenlawn who had a two-year stint at South Dakota State (NCAA Division 1) including one season as a redshirt. Hornby will be eligible immediately in the fall and begin his second season of CIS eligibility. Crook also recently gained a committment from 6'7 1/2" post Ben Kingdon, who was named Manitoba Player-of-the-Year by the Winnipeg Sun and led Winnipeg Oak Park H.S. to the Manitoba provincial championship this past season. Expect Kingdon to add depth to the Wesmen front line and push for significant time as the season progresses. Winnipeg added more depth to their front line with 6'9" Ryan Willerton from Winnipeg Vincent Massey, who is maturing as a player but has a solid physical package including a 7 foot wing span. Willerton will need time to develop his offensive skills but can alter shots with his length. Expect him to contribute down the road. With a solid returning core of seniors, a strong, deep class from last season and two potential starters at some point, the Wesmen appear to have a bright future.

Reports out of Manitoba have CIS Nationals finalists Brandon Bobcats ready to announce a key recruit later this week. We hope to have something on this developing story within a couple of days.

Guelph coach Chris O'Rourke has been busy on the recruiting trail and welcomes 4 new players plus Jonathan Moscatelli who will finally make his Gryphon debut this fall after missing the past 2 seasons fighting through a pair of knee operations. Greg Layson from the Guelph Mercury reports on the Gryphs latest class and provides a preview of the Guelph lineup for next season in this article Hoop Gryphs hope to step up

UPEI Panthers recruiting class is chronicled in the Halifax Chronicle-Herald UPEI Panthers recruiting class