Last season's U SPORTS Championship qualifiers has added five new players to their lineup for the 2024-25 season.
The Brock Badgers men's basketball team announced the signings of Nathan Charles, Jalen Edwards, Jalen Janes, Jerry Mercury and Malachi Scott on Friday, Sept. 27.
"As always, we are happy with our recruitment and are looking forward to their development in our program over the next few years," said head coach Willy Manigat. "For us, it boils down to the work and their commitment to buying into our team and team concepts."
Manigat spoke strongly of the players he has brought in and the high expectations placed upon them.
"We've recruited players that we believe are of high character and work ethic," he added. "Over time, we hope it proves true, and if it does, they will have a lot of success in the program."
Charles brings three years of experience in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference, coming from the McMaster Marauders.
The 6-5 guard from Mississauga, started in all 24 games for McMaster last season and doubled his points per game from 5.0 in 2022-23 to 10.2 in 2023-24. Charles also was a force on the glass, leading the Marauders with a career-high 8.6 rebounds per game.
Prior to his time with the Marauders, the incoming Masters of Applied Gerontology student, played for the St. Francis Xavier Tigers who earned an Ontario Federation of School Athletics Association (OFSAA) 'AAA' silver medal in 2018.
"I chose to attend Brock University because I believe that Brock gives me the best opportunity to further my academic and athletic career," Charles said. "The culture that the Brock men's basketball team has, and the detailed approach that the coaches take in making us better basketball players and men is something I'm very excited about."
Another transfer with university experience is Edwards, a 6-5 guard that will be added to Manigat's lineup.
With the Regina Cougars of the Canada West conference, Edwards played two seasons, averaging 8.4 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game in 2023-24; all career highs.
The Chilliwack, BC product also has experience playing in the United States, suiting up for the Erskine Flying Feet (NCAA Division-II) in 2021-22 and the Niagara County Community College Thunderwolves (National Junior College Athletic Association) in 2020-21.
With Abbostford Senior High School, Edwards demonstrated versatility as an athlete and strength as a student where he was named a captain and starter for both the football and basketball teams and the top overall student.
"I came here because I loved the program the coaching staff had cultivated," Edwards said. "Coach Willy made it very clear that he had established a culture where winning is both the norm and the expectation, and that's something I desired to be a part of. Additionally, I'm here to pursue a masters degree (Child and Youth Studies) and continue my education."
Coming from local standout prep program Ridley College, Janes is familiar playing in St. Catharines. With Ridley, Janes was named the Rookie of the Year in 2022.
The 6-3 guard from Cole Harbour, NS was a key part of Team Nova Scotia's run to a bronze medal at the 2022 Canada Games that took place on the Brock campus at Canada Games Park.
In 2019, the incoming Sports Psychology major placed first at the Division I U16 Nova Scotia provincial tournament.
"Brock has a great facility and coaching staff, and I'm very familiar with the area," Janes said. "Having a good connection with Coach Willy and trusting him to help me get to the next level is what brought me here."
Mercury made history this past April, becoming the first-ever Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) player to be drafted in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as he went 30th overall to the Niagara River Lions.
In the last two seasons, Mercury played for the Mohawk Mountaineers of the Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA), finishing second in the league in scoring with 22.6 points per game (PPG) in 2023-24 and ninth in 2022-23 with 18.8 PPG.
For his efforts, the 6-4 guard/forward from Toronto, was named an OCAA First Team All-Star in 2023-24.
With Pine Ridge Secondary School, the incoming Business Communication major won an OFSAA 'AAA' championship during the 2017-18 season.
"Brock was the perfect place academically as well as athletically," Mercury said. "There is something special about the amazing culture and brotherhood that is established within the program."
Rounding out the recruiting class is Scott, a 6-8 forward from Mississauga, who spent last season with Polaris Prep. With Polaris, Scott averaged 12.7 PPG and 8.0 RPG, helping the team win the Trillium Conference of the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA).
In 2022-23, Scott played for the Redeemer Royals of the OCAA, averaging 4.4 PPG and 2.8 RPG and starting seven of 12 games played.
Before that, he was at Great Lakes Christian School, being named to the Team South Top 40 roster for the Niagara High School Boys Basketball All-Star Game in 2022.
"Studying Business Communiations is perfectly aligned with my career goals, and I know Brock will help me meet them," Scott said. "Out of all the schools I've considered, Coach Willy's drive and ambition really stood out to me. I wanted to be on a team that challenges me to be better every single day, and I strongly believe that being here will do that."
You can catch your first glimpse of these new Badgers and the rest of the men's basketball team on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Brock Murray Classic where they will take on the Mount Royal Cougars in an exhibition contest at 8 p.m. Brock begins their regular season slate on Thursday, Oct. 24 against the Guelph Gryphons at 8 p.m. at Bob Davis Gymnasium.
