THUNDER BAY -- Ryan Thomson has added two former Division 1 men’s basketball players to his roster.
Isaiah Traylor, a guard who last played for Stephen F. Austin in Texas, and Kevin Ndahiro, a forward born in Ottawa, recently announced their signing.
Both players have two years of eligibility remaining.
Traylor is a six-foot-four scoring guard who averaged 15 minutes-per-game a year ago at Stephen F. Austin.
“He can really score. He can really shoot it,” said Lakehead men's basketball coach Ryan Thomson.
The guard shot 33 per cent from the three in 2017, and averaged six points-per-game off of the bench.
Traylor will help fill the hole left by departing senior Mor Menashe, who led the Wolves in scoring last season.
Thomson said Traylor’s ability to shoot and create shots will fit in to the way the Thunderwolves will try to play in the upcoming year.
“Spacing the floor, getting into our actions quick. Just playing with a lot of pace, and trying to get threes and lay-ups as best we can.”
Thomson said Traylor was brought to the team’s attention through Ndahiro, as the two spent the 2017-18 year in school together at the University of North Alabama.
Ndahiro, a long forward measuring 6-foot-8, most recently played for North Alabama and Stetson University.
“His shot is continuing to develop. He has a chance to be a tough inside presence for us,” assistant coach Matt Erdman said.
In his high school days, Ndahiro attended St. Patrick High School in Ottawa, the same school former Lakehead stars Greg Carter and Anthony McIntosh went to.
“We’ve had a good relationship from the ground there,” Thomson said. “[Ndahiro] wanted to come back and play U Sports basketball after being in the States for a few years.”
Both players have ambitions to play professional basketball, which Thomson says should create a focused environment as the team rebuilds.
“I think it’s another way these guys can stay motivated,” Thomson said. “They both have an opportunity to perform and have a very big role for us.”
Lakehead finished last in the OUA West with a 2-22 record last season.
