The Calgary Dinos welcome 3 bright talents to their roster for 2011-12, and declare their desire to climb back up the ladder in Canada West for the coming season.  Boris Bakovic is an established star from Ryerson in Toronto, and his signing brings instant offense.  Daryus Sconiers is a former Phoenix, AZ high school star with speed, quickness, and an ability to be a big impact player.  Josh Owen-Thomas is a young Australian with the determination to seek his basketball future in canada.

Boris Bakovic may only have 1 year of eligibility left to make his mark for the UC Dinos, but the 2nd  all-time scorer in Ontario Universities history can rack up the points in a hurry.  Bakovic, who played 4 seasons for the Ryerson Rams (2006 through 2010) averaged  over 25 ppg, and, always in the middle of the action, shot 9 free throws per game.

Bakovic, who will be studying in the Haskayne School of Business, is 6’7”, and a powerful inside-outside threat who will be a dynamic compliment to fellow 5th year forward, Tyler Fidler, and will quickly become a favourite target for returning point guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson, who sat out last season with a serious ankle sprain.  Bakovic is a 3 time OUA All-star, and has international experience for Canada with both the 2007 Junior Team and the 2009 Development Team.  He is a huge talent, who should immediately boost the Dinos chances for a return to the top rungs in the Canada West standings after suffering through an 8-16 record and missing the playoffs last year.

Coach Dan Vanhooren also landed 2 imports, with 1 from Arizona and the 2nd from Australia via British Basketball. Daryus Sconiers, a left-handed speedster out of Phoenix, will be in his 2nd year after playing at Lane Community College, Eugene, Oregon for 1 season.  Sconiers is a ‘full-speed ahead’ combo guard, who will give Ogungbemi-Jackson a very quick partner in the back-court.  When he was in Calgary for the ID Camp in early April, he flashed speed, a nose for the hoop off the break, and an impressive 3 point shot.

Josh Owen-Thomas, an Australian with English roots, played for the English U -18 team,  and is, according to Dinos assistant and British Basketball’s High Performance Manager, Ron Wuotila , “A great shooter, and a tough, gritty  guard. Josh could become the Dinos ‘ultimate warrior’ if he stays for all 5 years of eligibility.”   Wuotila suggested that Owen-Thomas is ‘on the radar’ in the future of British Basketball, and the 6’2” guard will add firepower and a composed style to the Calgary attack.

Notes ...

1. • Dinos will have depth at the guard spot, with returnees Keenan Milburn, Andrew McGuinness, and Phil Labongo very much in the rotation. Canada West Rookie of the Year, Matt Letkeman, and 5th year man Dustin Reding will be in the mix on the front line.
   

1. • Manitoba players are still leaving the province for other programs than the Bobcats, Wesmen, and Bisons. The Lakehead Thunderwolves nabbed 3 Winnipeg HS standouts ... J.R. Alexander, Grant Park, Joey Nitychoruk, St. Paul’s, and Michael Thorne-Fitch are all highly regarded prospects.
   

1. • Brandon Coach , Gil Cheung, has used his B.C. connections to land a pair of recruits from Gleneagle Sr. Sec. , Coquitlam ... Alex Klocek, 6’5”,  and Turell Scott , 6’4”,   will both play for the Brandon Bobcats this fall.