The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball team welcomes seven new talented athletes for the 2020-21 season. In 2019-2020, the Spartans' NCAA Championship chase was unfortunately cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic back in March. However, the squad had many accomplishments to be proud of, as the team finished their season with a 25-5 overall record (13-3 ECC), captured the program's fourth East Coast Conference Tournament Championship in the last five years and earned the #2 seed in the NCAA Division II East Regional.
As the offseason was rapidly thrust upon many college basketball programs in mid March, the work did not stop for the Spartans. Head Coach Tobin Anderson and his staff quickly turned their attention to building their roster for the 2020-2021 season, in the hopes of repeating as ECC Champs and securing their sixth straight trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament. While only graduating one senior; Sekou Cisse, seven very gifted recruits have decided to take their impressive talents to Sparkill, beginning this fall. “We are thrilled to sign 7 guys who we think will have a big impact on our program both on and off the court" said Anderson. "All seven have the ability, desire, and intangibles to sustain and build upon the excellence that is STAC basketball.”
Coach Anderson continued, “We faced some recruiting limitations due to the Coronavirus restrictions on travel and face-to-face communication, but our coaching staff and players did an unbelievable job with calls, texts, social media, and virtual tours to put us in position to bring 7 tremendous student-athletes to our Spartan Family. When we get the safe go-ahead to return to campus, we are excited to add these guys to a very strong group of returning players." The future Spartans come to us by way of Maryland, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Greece and Florida.
Here is a look at the future STAC Class of 2024 alphabetically.
Jamal Barnes
Jamal Barnes: 6-5 Guard, St. Stephens and St. Agnes School
Jamal comes to STAC by way of Temple Hill, MD. He excelled on & off the floor at St. Stephens & St. Agnes High School. "I was looking for the best of both worlds, education and basketball" said Barnes. A highly touted student athlete, Barnes continued, "STAC was the place that gave me the opportunity to achieve both of my goals & I am grateful for the opportunity." Coach Anderson added, "Jamal comes from one of the best high school programs in the DMV and winning is a part of his DNA. He can really shoot and defend- he will fit in perfectly with what we do."
Klay Brown
Klay Brown: 6-4 Guard, Howard Junior College
The latest addition to the Spartan roster, Klay makes his way to Sparkill via Howard Junior College in Texas. However, the 6-4 Brown is not a stranger to the Big Apple, as the native New Yorker grew up and began his basketball career in Queens. Coach Anderson said of Brown, "He's a versatile guard who competes at a high level on both ends of the court. His experience will really help us and he has a tremendous commitment to winning at a high level."
Sean Moore
Sean Moore: 6-6 Guard/Forward, Reynoldsburg High School
“Sean is a big guard who is skilled, long, athletic and can make plays in the open floor. He has the potential to be a major factor in how we play; he thrives in the open floor and when the game is fast,” said Coach Anderson. Sean Moore comes from Reynoldsburg High School, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Moore is a versatile wing, given his 6’6 frame he will be a matchup nightmare due to his ability to score on the interior and exterior. On joining STAC, Sean said “One thing I was impressed by how the coaching staff went out of their way to recruit me and associate with other high school and college coaches to get to know what type of player and person I am. Also, they were patient and understanding in the recruiting process, with me not being able to visit the campus. Coach Anderson would have check in calls with my mother about any and everything at any given time, which showed me that he cared about his players. So I came to realize this could be my next home with the great energy and feedback the players and coaches gave back.”
Kaylen Oweh
Kaylen Oweh: 6-4 Guard, Mercersburg Academy
The "local" recruit, comes to STAC after spending a prep year at the prestigious Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. On his decision, Oweh said, “I chose STAC because I felt wanted. A lot of the schools that were recruiting me didn’t show me anywhere near the love that STAC showed. Coach Tobin really sold me on the winning program he’s got over there and they get their players better.” Oweh went to Mercersburg following a successful high school career at Rutgers Preparatory in Somerset, New Jersey. Oweh’s athleticism will make him a natural in STAC’s up-tempo style of play. Coach Anderson noted, “Kaylen is the kind of versatile guard who excels in our program. He has been in two very good programs and is physically ready to have an impact on both ends of the floor. We love the way he attacks the rim and defends.” Oweh’s athleticism will make him a natural in STAC’s up-tempo style of play.
Luis Risquez
Luis Risquez: 6-9 Forwards/Center, Upper Room Christian High School
A Venezuelan native, Risquez has spent his high school career in the United States. He currently resides in Long Island. "We are excited about Luis. He is a skilled big man who can score in the post, shoot & handle on the perimeter. We love the fact that he wants to be great," said Coach Anderson. In choosing STAC, Risquez said, "I wanted to be a part of a program filled with hard workers. Not just that, but they do not just talk about a family atmosphere, they cultivate one. STAC is a nationally ranked program- with both players and coaches alike who are competing for a national championship. After speaking with Coach Tobin Anderson and the rest of the staff my choice easy- it was somewhere I could come and compete right away, as well as rejoin my fellow Venezuelan, Osbel. I am excited to be a Spartan."
Vasilis Tolias
Vasilis Tolias: 6-6 Forward, Panionios GSS Sports Club
Greek native, Vasilis Tolias, is a 6’6 wing with a knack for the game. He arrives from the celebrated Panionios GSS sports club. “We are excited about Vasilis. He brings a high level of skill, size, and athleticism as "hybrid forward" who can play inside and out. He has the opportunity to do special things at STAC,” said Coach Anderson. His tireless work ethic has been noted by coaches & peers alike, “He who sweats more in training, bleeds less in war.” He is adept at stepping out & knocking down 3’s and is quick to getting out ahead in transition. Tolias is excited to get stateside, “I am proud to be a Spartan & proud to join STAC!”
Antonio Vendola
Antonio Vendola: 6-2 Guard, South Georgia State College
Antonio hails from Fernandina Beach, Florida, in coming to STAC he embraced the family mentality-- “I loved how they won games and it felt like a family environment even though I didn’t get to visit I could tell through the phone that this was family!” He spent the first two years of his college career playing at South Georgia State College. One of the premier Junior College programs in the region. Vendola is a talented point guard who is a knock down 3-point shooter. Coach Anderson added, “Antonio is simply a guy who makes winning plays. He can play both guard positions, loves to defend, and competes at a high level. He is a veteran guard who fits the profile of the player who helps us win games.”