McMaster men’s basketball announces 2005 recruiting class

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/mball_recruits05.jpg” caption=”Basketball head coach Joe Raso embraces new basketball recruits Jason Scully, left, and Brandon Lukasik.”]McMaster announced the 2005 men's basketball recruiting class in front of nearly 200 basketball summer campers at the Burridge Gymnasium this afternoon.

The recruiting class includes 6'8″ forward Brandon Lukasik, 6'0″ guard Jason Scully and University of Guelph transfer student Mark Valvasori, a 6'4″ guard.

Lukasik turned down numerous football scholarship offers to stay at
home to play basketball for the 'maroon and grey'. He will provide McMaster with a strong inside presence.

Scully will join his brother Rob, a fifth-year senior (13.1 ppg, 2.2 apg), and two-time OUA All Star with the Marauders. Jason Scully will
provide depth at one of the finest backcourts in the country.

Valvasori, a native of Hamilton, who played two seasons with the University of Guelph, will transfer to McMaster in the fall. Valvasori will have to sit out the season in accordance with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) transfer guidelines. He will provide McMaster with a strong three-point threat in 2006/2007.

McMaster will also see the return of two-time OUA All Star Ben Katz, fourth-year guard Justin Gunter, and fourth-year guard/forward John Obrovac.

Katz suffered a season-ending knee injury last year. He spent the summer of 2004 with the national team, playing in the four
nations tournament in China. He will return for his fourth year of eligibility.

Gunter returns from a co-operative education placement. He will provide great court vision and control the tempo for McMaster.

Obrovac returns from a year away from basketball. He will add scoring and rebounding along with his positive influence in the
locker room.

McMaster men's basketball head coach Joe Raso commented that, “the addition of two incoming freshman, one transfer student, and three seniors returning to the lineup will have an immediate impact on the McMaster men's basketball program. I look forward to the start of the 2005/2006 basketball season.”

McMaster tips-off the 2005 season on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 against the three-time defending CIS champions from Carleton University.

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/mball_recruits05.jpg" caption="Basketball head coach Joe Raso embraces new basketball recruits Jason Scully, left, and Brandon Lukasik."]McMaster announced the 2005 men&#039;s basketball recruiting class in front of nearly 200 basketball summer campers at the Burridge Gymnasium this afternoon.<p><br />
<br />
The recruiting class includes 6&#039;8" forward Brandon Lukasik, 6&#039;0" guard Jason Scully and University of Guelph transfer student Mark Valvasori, a 6&#039;4" guard.<p><br />
<br />
Lukasik turned down numerous football scholarship offers to stay at<br />
home to play basketball for the &#039;maroon and grey&#039;. He will provide McMaster with a strong inside presence.<p><br />
<br />
Scully will join his brother Rob, a fifth-year senior (13.1 ppg, 2.2 apg), and two-time OUA All Star with the Marauders. Jason Scully will<br />
provide depth at one of the finest backcourts in the country.<p><br />
<br />
Valvasori, a native of Hamilton, who played two seasons with the University of Guelph, will transfer to McMaster in the fall.  Valvasori will have to sit out the season in accordance with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) transfer guidelines.  He will provide McMaster with a strong three-point threat in 2006/2007.<p><br />
<br />
McMaster will also see the return of two-time OUA All Star Ben Katz, fourth-year guard Justin Gunter, and fourth-year guard/forward John Obrovac.<p><br />
<br />
Katz suffered a season-ending knee injury last year. He spent the summer of 2004 with the national team, playing in the four<br />
nations tournament in China.  He will return for his fourth year of eligibility.<p><br />
<br />
Gunter returns from a co-operative education placement. He will provide great court vision and control the tempo for McMaster.<p><br />
<br />
Obrovac returns from a year away from basketball. He will add scoring and rebounding along with his positive influence in the<br />
locker room.<p><br />
<br />
McMaster men&#039;s basketball head coach Joe Raso commented that, "the addition of two incoming freshman, one transfer student, and three seniors returning to the lineup will have an immediate impact on the McMaster men&#039;s basketball program.  I look forward to the start of the 2005/2006 basketball season."<p><br />
<br />
McMaster tips-off the 2005 season on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 against the three-time defending CIS champions from Carleton University.

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