A weekly round-up of men’s basketball in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Hymes, Hopper completely Saintly sextet
Head coach Mitch Buonaguro said he wanted to make some changes following the 2010-11 Siena men’s basketball season. It’s now clear how serious he was. Buonaguro confirmed Tuesday that Evan Hymes, a 5-9 point guard from Durham, N.C., and Marcus Hopper, a 6-8 forward from Queens, have completed admissions paperwork reserving their spot in the incoming Class of 2015.
The commitments complete a wild two months that included three staff changes, the transfer of guards Jonathan Breeden and Kyle Griffin, and three late signings. When the dust settled, Buonaguro and the Saints were left with the largest scholarship class in program history, and a genuine excitement for the future of the program.
“There’s a lot of positive energy surrounding the program,” Buonaguro said. “I’m excited about the nucleus of young talent we have with the six new recruits, and (sophomores) Rahk (Rakeem Brookins) and Trenity (Burdine).”
Summer of the Stags: Catching up with Ryan Olander
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It didn’t take long for Ryan Olander to get involved with the community this summer. Just a few days into his summer break, the men’s basketball center visited Polson Middle School in Madison (Conn.) with his brother Tyler, a forward with the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team, and cousin Jack.
The trio spent most of the day working with the middle school students and answering a bevy of questions. The three college students organized a game of Knock Out, a basketball drill/game that hones the passing and shooting skills of participants.
“It was a lot of fun being with the students,” Ryan said. “You don’t always realize the impact you have on the community and kids. It’s not until you do an event like this that you understand how you can make a difference. It’s a feeling you don’t have every day.”
Most of the questions from the middle school students addressed the daily routine of a college student athlete – classes, work outs and practice, as well as what’s it like to play in front of thousands of people every game. Ryan, Tyler, and Jack handled the questions with aplomb and enjoyed talking with the students throughout the day.
NU Great Emilio “Zeke” Sinicola passes away
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara men’s basketball great and former NBA player Emilio “Zeke” Sinicola (’51) passed away on Monday morning at the Veterans Hopsital in New York City after a brief illness.
“Zeke”, as he was popularly known, became the first Niagara player to pass the 1,000 career-point mark and finished his career with 1,188 points, which was then a Western New York record. Sinicola played for Niagara from 1948-51 where he was a member of Niagara’s first-ever NIT team, accomplishing the feat as junior in 1950.
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Hasbrouck gets workout with New Orleans Hornets
Former Siena guard Kenny Hasbrouck has a workout with the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets today, according to his Twitter account.
Hasbrouck flew to New Orleans on Thursday.
Hasbrouck was waived by the Miami Heat during the preseason. He then played overseas in Alicante, Spain.
Siena hosting visit from Queens big man
Siena has found a target for its final available scholarship for next season.
The Saints are hosting a visit from 6-foot-9, 265-pound Marcus Hopper of Holy Cross High School in Queens.
Hopper confirmed via Facebook message last night that he’s visiting Loudonville today through tomorrow night.
Holy Cross coach Paul Gilvary said Hopper’s final choices are Siena, New Hampshire and Marist, with Mississippi Valley State as a longshot.
He has visited Marist but has yet to see UNH.
Hopper averaged 12 points and 8.5 rebounds this season and shot 44 percent from 3-point range, remarkable for a player his size.
“He can face the basket and shoot the ball,” Gilvary said. “Offensively, he doesn’t have to play with his back to the basket. He’s working hard to improve his game with his back to the basket, but he kind of was always more comfortable facing the basket.
“Defensively, he’s very strong,” Gilvary continued. “He guards the post well. He’s a pretty good shot blocker although he’s not a great leaper. He’s a good defensive rebounder. He’s just a very solid kid.”
MoMo shocker: Arizona transfer chooses Iona
MoMo Jones announced yesterday that he is taking his talents to Iona.
Not Marquette, Seton Hall or South Florida of the Big East. Not UMass of the Atlantic 10. Not Hofstra of the Colonial, which has become a three-bid league. He chose Iona.
This is not a knock on the Gaels, who lost in the championship game of the MAAC and the CBI Tournaments last season. But why does an elite city point guard from Harlem who has just taken Arizona to the West Region finals opt to transfer from Arizona to Iona?
Coming soon
Stay tuned for the first annual Pickin’ Splinters rundown on the MAAC’s incoming class. Fans can get an in-depth look at all the new student-athletes who will play next season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
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