Wolves sign highly touted hoops duo

It looks like it might be getting a little crowded under the hoop next fall.

But competition’s a good thing, said Lakehead University men’s basketball coach Scott Morrison in announcing a pair of highly touted recruits who will join the Thunderwolves mix in September.

The Wolves on Friday officially unveiled the signing of 6-foot-6 wing Joseph Nitychoruk, considered by many pundits as the top graduating player Manitoba has to offer in 2011. While they were at it Morrison also nabbed fellow Winnipeg star post Michael Thorne-Finch, a player the Winnipeg Sun ranks as one of the province’s top five graduating players.

Both players come with glowing accolades, none more so than Nitychoruk.

“Joey has a chance to be an impact player in the CIS. He has the size, length and agility to be a versatile weapon for Morrison. However his greatest asset may be his motor and competitive spirit.  Lakehead has landed a great recruit with a bright future,” said Dan Becker, a development coach with Basketball Canada.

“At 6’5” Joey stretches opponents with his abilities to run and shoot like a guard, while rebounding and defending like a forward. It gives him a type of versatility that will translate well to CIS competition,” said Barry Hayes of Hoopstars Canada, a recruiting service that has Nitychoruk ranked among its top 10 Canadian high school small forwards.

Thorne-Finch, who Hayes says can “outmanoeuvre and fatigue” opposition big men in the paint, can be counted on to step seamlessly into the college game, said his Kelvin High School coach Chris Young.

“Mike should make an immediate impact at the CIS level.  He brings great toughness, rebounding and shot blocking to the Lakehead program.  He is a hard working and thoughtful young man who is determined to get better and should be a great asset to the team at Lakehead both on and off the court.”

Morrison said the newcomers are among the best first-year class players he’s brought in since joining the team in 2003, and bode well for the future of a team coming off back-to-back national championship appearances.

“The commitments from Mike and Joey this week highlight what we believe has been an excellent recruiting year for our program. Both guys are highly rated at their position nationally and we are familiar with them to the point we have no doubt they will fit in with our returning players.”