Heat lures local prospects back to the Valley
The UBC Okanagan Heat men’s basketball team has signed four recruits for the 2022-23 season, featuring two Okanagan locals in Alex Christie and Leon Schenker, as well as two Ontario products, Lansana Nwosu and D’Angelo Cortese-Affoon.
Christie, a 6-10 forward from Kamloops, is returning to the Okanagan after playing in Calgary for a season with Edge School.
Christie, along with the rest of the Edge Senior Prep team, finished the 2021-22 regular season as the number one seed in the Canadian Junior Basketball League.
“Alex is a high potential big man. He has an excellent frame and continues to improve daily,” Heat coach Clay Pottinger said.
After a year playing for the Lethbridge College Kodiaks and studying business administration, Schenker is also returning to the Okanagan. In his rookie season with the Kodiaks, the 6-4 shooting guard from Vernon shot 42.2 per cent from the floor.
“Leon is a prime local product that we are excited to add to the roster. His strength and
versatility are his top assets,” Pottinger said.
Hailing from Scarborough, Ont., Nwosu is a 6-3 guard who has played in both Canadian and American colleges, including Eastern Florida State his freshman year, Kilgore College in Texas for his sophomore year, and then returning to Canada for his third and fourth years with University of Guelph.
Nwosu helped East Florida and Kilgore to league finals as well as a national championship in Florida. Upon his return to Canada, Nwosu and Guelph squad went to back-toback playoffs.
“Lansana will add some leadership and
toughness to the lineup,” Pottinger said. “He’s known for his stifling defense and passing.”
Cortese-Affoon, a 6-8 forward from Brampton, Ont., is the final piece to the 202223 recruits.
Cortese-Affoon was previously a part of the Ridley College basketball team where he scored 65 points and pulled down 73 rebounds in the 2019-20 season. Pottinger said he’s looking forward to Cortese-Affoon joining the Heat squad.
“D’Angelo is a superb talent. His IQ and excellent touch make him an ideal prospect in our league,” the coach said.