Compiled by Paul Gotham
Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the MAAC with a look at the first-year players of the Canisius Golden Griffins.
The Griffs finished 21-13 (14-6 MAAC) and fell in the first round of the 2014 CIT Tournament. Jim Baron and his staff welcome four true freshmen to campus: Jan Grzelinski, Isaiah Gurley, Raven Owen and Cassidy Ryan. Three redshirt freshmen will start their playing careers: Jermaine Crumpton, Kassius Robertson and Adam Weir.
Jermaine Crumpton RFr F 6-6, 245 Niagara Falls, NY/ Niagara Falls
Earned three varsity letters as a member of the Niagara Falls High School boy’s basketball program. Averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks per game in his senior season. Was named to the All-WNY First Team by The Buffalo News after his senior campaign. Along with Canisius teammate Adam Weir, he is the first All-WNY First-Team honoree to join the Griffs’ program since Hodari Mallory in 1998-99. Was a finalist for the New York State Mr. Basketball award in 2012-13 after he helped lead his high school team to a 17-4 overall record. Averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game in his junior season. Honored as a All-WNY Second Team choice by The Buffalo News in 2011-12.
What they’re saying about Jermaine Crumpton – Jon Boon/ Bishop Kearney: “He’s a tweener. He got a lot better from his junior to his senior year. He’s a kid I expect to contribute as a sophomore. He’s progressing. He’s got to keep working on his perimeter skills to be a regular contributor for Canisius and in that league.”
Jan Grzelinski Fr. G 5-10, 160 Wroclaw, Poland/ Wroclaw
Signed his NLI to join the program in July, 2014. Averaged 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for his club team in Wroclaw, Poland during the 2013-14 basketball season. Has been a member of the Polish National Team program since 2010. Helped Poland place ninth at the 2014 FIBA U-20 European Championships, which were held in Greece. In that event, he averaged 6.1 points and 4.7 assists per game for his home country. Also represented Poland in the 2010 FIBA U-16 European Championship and the 2011 FIBA U-18 European Championship.
Isaiah Gurley Fr. G 6-3, 185 Brooklyn, NY/ George Westinghouse
Signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Canisius program in August 2014. Was good for 16.6 points, 7.6 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game as a senior at George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. Led the brooklyn AA in assists per game average and he ranked fifth in the league in scoring average. Named All-Brooklyn AA Second Team by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
What they’re saying about Isaiah Gurley – Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He is an off guard, A decent athlete with good all-around skills.”
Raven Owen Fr. G 5-11, 165 State Island, NY/ St. Joseph (NJ)
Was a two-year letterwinner for St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, N.J. Averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game during in 31 games during his senior season. Scored nine points and pulled down four rebounds in St. Joseph’s 49-47 win over Newark East Side in the NJSIAA/ShopRite Tournament of Champions title game. In 48 career high school games, he averaged 7.6 points, 2.2 assists and 1.8 rebounds per contest. Was also recruited by East Carolina, Fordham, Iona and LIU-Brooklyn.
What they’re saying about Raven Owen – Jay Gomes/ NJHoops.com: “He is a quick guard with very good ball skills, penetrates well. He gets into the lane. He is a capable 3-pt. shooter as well. He is a little on the small side, so he will have to use that quickness to his advantage.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He is a small point guard with a tight handle. Owen has played with some good teams and brings that experience combined with quickness.
Kassius Robertson RFr. G 6-3, 175 Toronto, ONT/ Thornlea Secondary School
Played one season (2012-13) at Thornlea Secondary School. Averaged 22 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game for Thornlea. Was named all-league. His head coach at Thornlea was Shane James, a former player at Loyola (Md.). Played two seasons at Vaughn Secondary School in Vaughn, Ontario. Helped lead Vaughn to two league titles and two OFSAA Provincial championships
Cassidy Ryan Fr. F 6-6, 215 Mississauga, ONT/ Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Played basketball for four years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. First basketball player from Our Lady of Mount Carmel to sign an NLI to join a Division I basketball program. Helped lead the Lions to the 2012 Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association championship.
Adam Weir RFr. G 6-4, 190 Tonawanda, NY/ Canisius
Earned four varsity letters as a member of the Canisius High School boy’s basketball program. Finished his scholastic career with 1,339 career points and 409 career rebounds. Averaged 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals per game in his senior season. Honored as the 2012-13 Allen Wilson Player of the Year by The Buffalo News. He is the second Canisius High player to be named the local player of the year, joining former Canisius High and Canisius College graduate Dareen Fenn. Weir is the fourth Griff in program history to be named The Buffalo News Player of the Year, joining Fenn (1997), Jeff Taggart (1985) and Ray Hall (1981). Was a two-time All-WNY First Team selection by The Buffalo News. Along with Canisius teammate Jermaine Crumpton, he is the first All-WNY First-Team honoree to join the Griffs’ program since Hodari Mallory in 1998-99. Was a finalist for the New York State Mr. Basketball award in 2012-13 after he helped lead his high school team to a 31-2 overall record and a third-straight Manhattan Cup in 2012-13. Served as a team captain in 2012-13.
What they’re saying about Adam Weir – Jon Boon/ Bishop Kearney: “He is a gym rat in every sense of the term. We played against him three straight years. He is a kid you can build a program around. He has a great work ethic. He’s very skilled. He won’t stop until the final horn blows. He could be a great player for them. He’s not a kid who can create a ton for himself, but he works so hard to get open. You can’t give him an inch. He reminds me a lot of Kyle Downey, yet he’s a little bigger and stronger than Kyle was coming out of high school.”
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