X-Men basketball season preview 2017-18

This year's version of the basketball X-Men is the most experienced squad head coach Steve Konchalski has fielded in several years, as twelve players return, along with five seniors, four of whom were in the starting line-up on a regular basis. Leading the way will be All-Canadian and reigning AUS most valuable player, Kevin Bercy, a 6'7" forward who averaged 19.8 points per game to go along with 11.3 rebounds. Bercy also represented Canada in this summer's World University Games in Taiwan, where he led the team in rebounding.

Fellow seniors Julius Antoine, a 6'3" wing who averaged 14.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg, Cam Walker, a 6'7" forward (9.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg) and Davonte Provo, a 6' point guard (5.6 ppg and 3.4 assists per game), round out the returning starters. Fourth year senior Jason Hatch, another 6'3" guard, adds defense, experience and a great work ethic to the mix.

Backing up the front court will be two players ready to make their mark, 6'6" junior Daniel Passley (3.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg), a physical forward who can step out and shoot the three, along with 6'6" sophomore jumping jack and rim protector Azaro Roker, who led the team in blocked shots. Nick McKee, a 6'5" sophomore with a nice touch and good basketball instincts, will add depth.

Firepower in the back court will be provided by 6'2" junior sharpshooter Tristen Ross (10 ppg on 39% from beyond the arc and 88% from the FT line) along with 6' sophomore Justin Andrew, selected to the Atlantic conference all-rookie team last year. Six-seven sophomore Nick Russell will swing to the small forward position after shooting 47% from the floor and 37% from three point range last year, while 6' combo guard Mark Fernandes will give the X-Men another long range shooter off the bench. Brandon Velocci, a 6'2" point guard from NYC also returns after a year's absence.

Wearing the Blue & White for the first time will be 6'1" combo guard Jaydan Smith from Citadel HS in Halifax. Jaydan was a member of the 2016 Nova Scotia team that captured the gold medal at the U-17 national tournament in the summer of 2016. Rounding out the squad is 6'4" forward David Inkumsah, a former member of the X-Men football squad who also played a year of hoops at the University of Western Ontario.