(Windsor, Ontario) - The St. Clair College Men’s Basketball team is excited for the 2018-19 season having secured one of their largest recruiting classes in recent history. Of the six incoming players signed four are transfer athletes including a pair from the Michigan Junior College ranks.
Headlining the incoming group are 6’1” guard David Gomez Jr. (Pontiac, MI) and 6’5” swing player Daelyn Davis (Romulus, MI). Gomez is a Lake Orion High school product and spent the last two years playing for Macomb CC (Warren, MI). The future Sport & Recreation Management student will make an immediate impact with his strength and speed.
Co-Head Coach Brendon Seguin said, "Gomez is versatile point guard who brings a defense first mentality, is a good passer and can score at the rim. We are looking for David to make an impact from day one."
Davis graduated from Renaissance High School (Detroit, MI) and will be studying Journalism at St. Clair College. He played a year for Oakland CC (Auburn Hills, MI) in 2016-17 followed by a year at Kellogg CC (Battle Creek, MI) last year.
"Davis is an athletic wing who can guard all five positions. We think Daelyn can help improve our overall team rebounding and defense immediately", said Co-Head Coach Matt Sykes.
Another transfer who will surely make a good impression with his experience will be 6’5” swing man Ian Smart (Chatham, ON/Chatham-Kent). Smart played two years for the University of Western Ontario (London) capping his time there with an 8.2 points per game average in his 2nd campaign for the Mustangs in 2016-17. He is enrolled in St. Clair’s Woodworking Technician program for the fall.
"Ian adds a veteran presence to the roster. He will make an impact on both ends of the floor and be a key leader for our team," said Seguin.
Local product Dallas Akins (Lasalle, ON/Sandwich) comes home after a year at the University of British Columbia having spent a season with their track and field team as a high jumper. The 6’4” guard will add more athleticism to the backcourt while taking the Business Administration - Human Resources program.
Sykes said about Akins, “Dallas is a very good athlete with a high upside. We look for him to bring athleticism and perimeter shooting to the wing position and with continued work Dallas can be a key figure in the coming years."
Another pair of guards from out of town will be joining the Saints this year in 6’2” Blake Butler (Sarnia Northern) and 6’4” Javonte Mitchell (London, ON/Catholic Central). Butler will start the Fitness and Health Promotion academically in September and Mitchell will be another Business Administration - Human Resources student.
“Blake is a high IQ guard with a tremendous work ethic and attention to detail. His decision making gives him the potential to be a factor in year one," said Seguin about Butler.
"Javonte is a strong wing who can handle the ball and score in the paint. He will add a strong rebounding presence on both ends of the court," said Sykes about Mitchell.
"We are looking for all six of these recruits to reshape the culture of our program on the court and in the classroom while contributing greatly to our presence in the Windsor-Essex community,” said Seguin about the incoming group.
After a year off former WECSSAA champion and all city shooting guard Khodr Ahmad (Windsor, ON/Holy Names) could also be in the fold this coming season for the Saints.
Returning veterans to the St. Clair line-up this season include 2nd year point guard Ali Mansour (Windsor, ON/Kennedy Collegiate), 3rd year shooting guard Nik Veigli (Cottam, ON/Essex District), 2nd year forward Glynn Willis-Paris (Windsor, ON/Kennedy Collegiate), 3rd year forward TJ Howard (Hamilton, ON), 3rd year guard Juwan Lynch (Windsor, ON/Kennedy Collegiate and 4th year forward Gil Atencio (Panama City, Panama).
The St. Clair Men’s Basketball team will begin their pre-season exhibition schedule on Sep. 26th when they host the University of Windsor at the SportsPlex. The Saints start West Division regular season play with a road game at Sheridan College (Brampton) when they visit the defending OCAA Bronze Medalists.