West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

I have not been keeping track of all the roster movements. Do we still have additional spots to fill?

I count between 14 and 12.

Expected Returns:

Shuler
Spadafora
Woodward
Pankney
Daugustino
Kisner

Possible Returns: Note that both of these players had their "Senior Day" along with plaque award this past season. Will both return...will neither...will one???

Rasile
Sarson

New Players Reported Signed:

Transfers:

Harper
Stewart
Shull

Freshmen:

Chester
Dragas
Tinsley

WLU has played with 12 under Ben but usually has 15. Sooooo...Is recruting still open on the Hilltop? Yes...no...maybe????

[Columbuseer]

Cue Country Roads...

Cooper Kent galion oh hs 6-2

Cooper Kent FINAL STATS (24 games): 17.7 PTS | 6.8 RB | 3.0 AST | 1.4 TO | 1.8 STL | 0.5 BLK | 2.9 3P | 10 charges Taken

Played on team that only won 12 games. Like the assist to TO Ratio. Great range on three. Qb in football.

From X:

Excited to announce I will be continuing my basketball career as a West Liberty University Hilltopper! Grateful to Coaches Howlett & Harr for giving me this opportunity! Thank you to my family, coaches, and the many others who invested time and effort into me! Thank you God!

[boatcapt]

Cue Country Roads...

Cooper Kent galion oh hs 6-2

Cooper Kent FINAL STATS (24 games): 17.7 PTS | 6.8 RB | 3.0 AST | 1.4 TO | 1.8 STL | 0.5 BLK | 2.9 3P | 10 charges Taken

Played on team that only won 12 games. Like the assist to TO Ratio. Great range on three. Qb in football.

From X:

Excited to announce I will be continuing my basketball career as a West Liberty University Hilltopper! Grateful to Coaches Howlett & Harr for giving me this opportunity! Thank you to my family, coaches, and the many others who invested time and effort into me! Thank you God!

Ben is a first rate talent evaluator. Given the turn over in this year roster, Kent will have every opportunity to earn serious playing time this year.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Machi Chester played in 2024 Capitol Classic all star game. He played for suburban all stars vs the District all stars in the 1st game.

The 2nd game pitted the Capitol all stars vs the best players in the usa (high major players).

He is a mature young man and is a very strong player, who is also unselfish. Cannot wait to see him develop on the hilltop.


Great Interview with Machi Chester at capitol classic apr 18 2024
https://youtu.be/kAEXWSteTNA?feature=shared

Background on history of Capitol Classic (Jordan, Lebron, Moses, Dominique, etc.) Fyi

https://youtu.be/0Rc2fw6jNCA?feature=shared

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Fyi
Machi Chester played in 2024 Capitol Classic all star game. He played for suburban all stars vs the District all stars in the 1st game.

The 2nd game pitted the Capitol all stars vs the best players in the usa (high major players).

He is a mature young man and is a very strong player, who is also unselfish. Cannot wait to see him develop on the hilltop.


Great Interview with Machi Chester at capitol classic apr 18 2024
https://youtu.be/kAEXWSteTNA?feature=shared

Background on history of Capitol Classic (Jordan, Lebron, Moses, Dominique, etc.) Fyi

https://youtu.be/0Rc2fw6jNCA?feature=shared

That's unfortunately the problem all over the place ... they don't stay around to develop. Drives me nuts. Essentially developing on one schools' dime and then cashing in for somebody else.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
4 wlu men's bball players make academic all district
congrats!
From march 26 article on hilltoppersports.com:

On Tuesday afternoon the College Sports Communicator's (CSC) announced the 2023-24 Academic All-District® selections for men's basketball. West Liberty University was represented by Zach Rasile, Finley Woodward, John Korte, and Alek West. CSC recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classrooms. All four of the Hilltopper student-athletes were also named as finalists for the Academic All-America® ballot. All-Americans will be announced April 17, 2024.

[boatcapt]

That's unfortunately the problem all over the place ... they don't stay around to develop. Drives me nuts. Essentially developing on one schools' dime and then cashing in for somebody else.

Yes...we are QUITE familiar with that. I think WLU would have an inside shot at the DII Transfer National Championship!

[Columbuseer]

Fyi hilltoppers in the pros.
Also, Will Yoakum was at wlu for 5 of his 6 years. He is playing in Germany.

https://www.usbasket.com/NCAA2/news/...-Weekly-Update

[boatcapt]

Fyi hilltoppers in the pros.
Also, Will Yoakum was at wlu for 5 of his 6 years. He is playing in Germany.

https://www.usbasket.com/NCAA2/news/...-Weekly-Update

Players kind of burn their "Player Alumni" card when they leave and play college basketball elsewhere. The last college you played for is were you chose to go and you shouldn't be listed as an alumni at the other stops you made..

[Topper_Hopper]

Fyi hilltoppers in the pros.
Also, Will Yoakum was at wlu for 5 of his 6 years. He is playing in Germany.

https://www.usbasket.com/NCAA2/news/...-Weekly-Update

Apparently, Vidan Dronjak is playing pro basketball. Did he play elsewhere in college, after his brief stop at WLU?

[Columbuseer]

Apparently, Vidan Dronjak is playing pro basketball. Did he play elsewhere in college, after his brief stop at WLU?

He redshirted and then decided to return to play pro in Serbia.

[Columbuseer]

What an endorsement of wlu basketball! Potentially heard by millions!
Fyi
At 3:40 of the post game interview below, Joe Mazulla tells how West Liberty shaped his analytical approach to the game.
https://youtu.be/Oz-MF8k-IpU?feature=shared

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What an endorsement of wlu basketball! Potentially heard by millions!
Fyi
At 3:40 of the post game interview below, Joe Mazulla tells how West Liberty shaped his analytical approach to the game.
https://youtu.be/Oz-MF8k-IpU?feature=shared

That's awesome.

I was just thinking the other day I saw him coach against IUP just a few years back ... and now he just won an NBA title for the Boston Celtics. What an unbelievable story.

I know Joe Lombardi loves Mazulla. He speaks incredibly highly of him and they've developed a close relationship. I've heard from many he's a really good person -- not your typical NBA a-hole.

[Columbuseer]

Cue "Fever in the Funk House" by the famous Motown studio musicians with the genius James Jamerson on bass and led by Earl Van Dyke on piano! (For more info see movie "Standing in the Shadows of Motown")

Wlu has signed a 6-5 3-point sniper from Detroit. High school was Cass Tech which has a renowned athletic reputation.

Daniel Autrey, who goes by DA.
One year grad student.

[Columbuseer]

Cue the French version of Country Roads!
Vadim Clanet has signed with WLU from d&e.
6-8 197 lbs.
35.4% from three. Great understanding of the game.
1 yr to play as grad student.
Roster numbers 14, with 9 new players.
Many high motor guys.
We now have 4 players 6-7 or above.