The 2019-2020 St. Thomas Aquinas Men's Basketball team's NCAA Championship chase was unfortunately cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic back in March. However, the Spartans have a lot of accomplishments to look back upon and be proud of, as the squad 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.

While the world awaits the resolution of the current health emergency, the work does not stop for the Spartans, as they continue to build their roster for the 2020-2021 season. Four very gifted recruits have decided to take their impressive talents to Sparkill, beginning this fall. Head Coach Tobin Anderson and his staff have done a masterful job in recruiting the next pieces to the puzzle that they hope will lead them to the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball title. “We are thrilled to sign 4 guys who we think will have a big impact on our program both on and off the court" said Anderson. "All four have the ability, desire, and intangibles to sustain and build upon the excellence that is STAC basketball.” 

Since the pandemic began, the recruiting landscape across college athletics has drastically changed for all coaches. 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 4 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 New Jersey, Florida, Ohio & Greece.

Now let's meet each of the new recruits that will be a part of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball Team for their 2020-2021 season.

Kaylen Oweh

Kaylen Oweh - 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.

Antonio Vendola

Antonio Vendola - 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.”

Sean Moore

Sean Moore - “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 6’5 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.”

Vasilis Tolias

Vasilis Tolias - 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!”

The 2020-2021 STAC Spartans will compete for a fourth ECC Regular Season Championship, a fifth ECC Tournament Championship & a sixth straight NCAA Tournament Appearance, beginning in November.