‘Team-first’ roster begins taking shape
Niagara River Lions’ third training camp gets underway Monday at Ridley College
Joe Raso is no stranger to basketball camps.
And come Monday the veteran coach is adding another “training camp” to his already impressive resume, as the Niagara River Lions officially welcomes over a dozen players to the region in preparation for the third-year National Basketball League of Canada franchise’s home and regular season opener Saturday, Nov. 18, at Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines.
“I’m glad you’re calling it a training camp,” said Raso who has USports (Canadian University), Team Canada and NBA experience running, and working at, camps.
“We’re going to bring a bunch of guys in, and our goal is just that – to run it as a training camp,” he said. “And some of the guys we bring in who don’t make the team, because you’re only allowed to keep 12 players, we’re going to want to keep them near.
“This is a camp, but more importantly it’s a tryout.”
The River Lions officially announced that four players from last year’s club will return: forward Carl Hall, centre Sam Muldrow, swingman Josiah Moore and point-guard Joe Rocca.
Anyone who knows Raso knows he believes in a defence-first mentality.
“You can be a good offensive team, and all great players have bad nights, but if you’re good defensively you’re good every night,” Raso said.
“We’re going to be a good, consistent, defensive team.”
The National Basketball League of Canada is known for the most part as an up-tempo, high-scoring league, but Raso has an interesting perspective on that.
“All pro leagues, not just the NBL, people get caught up in offensive numbers, so players are playing for numbers,” he said. “What we need to do is get our players to play defence.
“I think of it as a strength, some people might think of it as a weakness, but going into camp I have no idea who our best scorer is.
“I will say this, as I said in my (introductory) press conference, we will use the pass as a weapon.”
Adam Wing comes to Niagara from the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans, and is a player Raso refers to as a “warrior.”
Raso, a former McMaster Mauraders head coach, was also quick to mention the players he has from successful programs such as perennial powerhouse Carleton University.
“We’re bringing in winners. The two Carleton guys (Joe Rocca and Guillaume Payen Boucard), and we’ve got two young point-guards in Jaylon Tate and Nate Frye, and a kid that I think is going to be really, really, good is Adam Klie.”
Klie, a product of the University of California, San Diego, averaged 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists last season, earning him California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) player of the year honours.
“My biggest concern with Adam Klie was we might lose him to medical school.
Raso praises the Niagara ownership group for allowing him to recruit character players.
“We’re not just bringing in good players, we’re bringing in good people,” he said. “We’ve got some guys who are going to be successful after basketball. We’ve got guys who will be coaches.
“There’s not a guy on this team that we’re bringing into camp that I haven’t spoken to. The ownership has been outstanding in allowing me to design this roster.”
Raso will be assisted by son Victor, Divya Rao, returnee Vito DiMartino from Niagara Falls and Fort Erie native Moses Balabyekkubo. Jeff Aldham is the strength and conditioning coach.
“I’ll probably coach this team as much as a college coach as probably anyone in the league,” Joe Raso said. “There’ll be respect for guys being pros, but I’m going to teach the game like a college coach.”
As for what he hopes the fans take away from the 2017-18 edition of the Niagara River Lions, Raso offered this:
“You’re going to see team first,” he said. “At the end of the season, when you look at box scores, I’m hoping you’re going to see eight different guys lead us in most categories.
“There are going to be lots of favourite players out there.”
River Lions camp will be held at Ridley College.
Lion Pride: Raso says up to 18 players could attend camp … The team has formed a partnership with Ridley College. Ridley has become the official practice facility for the 2017-18 Lions season. Niagara brass hopes the partnership will continue to grow for years to come … The River Lions have introduced a “Fan Zone” this season offering $10 tickets to home games. Visit www.riverlions.ca or call the front office at 289-273-5905 for more information.