Here’s a look at the 2018-19 St. John’s Edge:
Guillaume Boucard (6-6/200, Carleton): Was a member of the Niagara River Lions last season, where he was a catalyst for the team through their shortlived playoff run … in 42 games, averaged 14.16 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, the latter stat tying him for sixth overall in the league …
What they’re saying about him: “Athletic wing who excels in the open court. Plays extremely hard and is versatile defensively.”
Todd Brown (6-5/210, Wright State): Is a veteran player with a pedigree in professional basketball in Europe. Brown started his professional career in Europe with WBC Raiffeisen Wels of the Austrian A Bundesliga … In 201718 he played in the Argentinian Liga A …
What they’re saying about him: “Very savvy. He can really shoot the basketball. A veteran who plays with great poise.”
Junior Cadougan (6-1/205, Marquette): Spent 13 years in the Canadian national team program ... Played four years at Marquette University, leading his team to three Sweet 16 appearances, one Elite Eight appearance and a Big East Title … played with the two-time NBL of Canada champion London Lightning … What they’re saying about him: “Tough. An absolute dog.”
Carl English (6-5/205, Hawaii): At 37, one of the league’s elder statesmen … Is the NBL Canada’s reigning MVP after finishing second in league scoring last season, with 23.7 points per game … Scored a league record 58 points last season in the Edge’s 127-117 win over the KW Titans …
What they’re saying about him: “He’s played a lot of basketball in the past 20 years, which has worn him down some. Proved last year, however, he’s still a clutch player.”
Gabe Freeman (6-6/210, Mesa Community College): A former NBL Canada MVP and playoff MVP, and the league’s all-time leading rebounder … The 32-year-old was the Saint John Riptide’s leading scorer last season when he left New Brunswick midway through last season for Baghdad and a team in Iraq’s top professional league …
What they’re saying about him: “Extremely tough, extreme high motor. The guy plays 100-miles-per-hour all the time.”
Maurice Jones (5-7/150, USC, Northwood): A former NBL of Canada rookie of the year … In 43 games last season, averaged 17.6 points, 5.86 assists, while playing 38.3 minutes …
What they’re saying about him: “He’s probably the hardest guard to guard in the league in transition. He’s extremely slippery in the pick and roll. When he gets a head of steam and he gets in the open court, he’s a problem.”
Diego Kapelan (6-4/185, Mcneese State): The 31-year-old native of Vancouver was signed this week … Kapelan has been in Europe, playing for teams in Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Austria and Spain and like teammate Maverick Morgan, began this season with a team in Lithuania … What they’re saying about him: “Will be one of the best shooters in the league, a tossup between him and Carl (English). He was always one step away from the top division in Spain, and something would go wrong, or not pan out.”
Dez Lee (6-5/190, North Carolina State): Though he averaged 10.7 points in 49 games for the Edge last season, Lee is known for his defensive play, hence he was named the team’s defensive player of the year last season. What they’re saying about him: “He’s a heart and soul guy. Brings intangibles and toughness every night. The guy’s a warrior.”
Maverick Morgan (6-11, 260, Illinois): Signed this week, Morgan last suited up for GTK Gliwice in Poland … moved to Skycop Prienai in the Lithuania Basketball League this fall, but left that club four weeks ago … Just a year from playing for the University of Illinois, where the Springboro, Ohio native spent four seasons, including 2016-17, when he was the team’s primary starter at post, averaging 10 points and just under five rebounds a game … What they’re saying about him: “Big body, great hands, highly intelligent basketball player. Great guy.” Satnam Singh (7-2, 295, IMG Academy): A former-secondround draft pick of the NBA’S Dallas Mavericks and the first player born in India to drafted by an NBA team … has experience in the G-league, which is seen as the NBA’S minor-league arm, and has represented India internationally in three Asian championships … only two players who appeared in NBA games in 2017-18 — 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks and 7-4 Boban Marjanovic of the Detroit Pistons — are taller than Singh … by his early teens, had grown to 6-11. As a 14-year-old, was awarded a scholarship to attend the basketball academy in Bradenton, Fla., operated by the sports marketing firm IMG … A documentary on Singh, “One in a Billion” is currently on Netflix … What they’re saying about him: “Massive body. He actually has a higher level of basketball intellect for someone who has not played a lot. A gentle giant off the court, but he’ll play extremely physical. Moves a lot better than people would give him credit for.”
Jarryn Skeete (6-4, 175, Buffalo): A fan favourite at Mile One, in part because of his surname, Skeete was awarded the Fans Choice Award last season. Will be a role player on this year’s team. What they’re saying about him: “He’s got fantastic energy, and he’s a dead-eye shooter.”
Keith Wright Jr. (6-8/240, Harvard): After graduating from Harvard as the school’s all-time leading shot-blocker, the 240pound Wright played professionally in Sweden and Poland, then returned to North America where he suited up for the Austin Spurs and Westchester Knicks in the NBA Development League (now G League) … Then went back overseas, playing in the Philippines in 2016-17 and in Greece last season …
What they’re saying about him: “He reminds some people of Al Jefferson (the former 14-year NBA veteran). He’s extremely long, 6-8 with a seven-foot wingspan. He’s a very intelligent basketball player.”