2022 Season Preview: Men's Basketball

The storyline

No. 1 Humber men's basketball returns for its 48th season, opening the 2022-23 OCAA schedule on Oct. 25 at Sheridan College. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

2021-22 Highlights

• It was a magical run for the Hawks, finishing the shortened campaign with a 16-0 record, capturing the program's seventh national title on home court.
• Humber's defence allowed 67.9 points per game, the lowest in the west division.
• DeQuon Cascart became the second player in program history to be named the OCAA Player of the Year.

At the helm

The Coach O era began with a bang last season as Omar Miles made his debut, leading the Hawks to the triple crown: division title, provincial title, and national title. Coach Miles, the 2022 OCAA Coach of the Year, enters his second season with a 16-0 (1.000) record as the bench boss for the Hawks.

Carlo Zoffranieri, Warrick Manners, and Dave Bethune all return for their second season, while Mark Zaragoza was promoted to assistant coach for the 2022-23 season.

Wanted: leading scorer

Humber's top three scorers from last season are no longer with the squad, and the trio combined to score 53.3 percent of Humber's points last season.

Young guns

Nine players will be making their debut for the Hawks this season and only three have postsecondary experience.

• Jamani Barrett, Forward, Brampton – competed for the Midland Chaparrals (NJCAA) and Lakeland Thunderwolves (OUA).
• Marcus Clarke-Moore, Guard, Scarborough – competed with the Vincennes Trailblazers (NJCAA).
• Sydney Kabongo, Guard, Toronto – appeared in three games with the Conestoga Condors in 2019-20, averaging 14.7 PPG.
• Kyle Brown-Fazekas, Guard, Windsor – making postsecondary debut.
• Jayar Harewood, Small Forward, Toronto – making postsecondary debut.
• Nathan Waithe, Shooting Guard, Brampton – making postsecondary debut.
• Devonte Campbell, Shooting Guard, Oshawa – making postsecondary debut.
• Adrian Aluyi, Small Forward, Benin City, Nigeria – making postsecondary debut.
• Taujh Motiki-Stephens, Power Forward, Scarborough – making postsecondary debut.

The Game

The Humber/Sheridan game – considered by many the fiercest rivalry in the CCAA – resumes on Oct. 25, the 108th regular-season edition. Since 2000, these two programs have combined for 15 provincial championships and 28 total titles since 1985.

During the season, the Bruins lead the series 58-49, and the Hawks are 19-34 all-time at Sheridan. Humber is 12-6 all-time against the Bruins in the postseason.

Start Fast

Over the last ten seasons, the Hawks are 7-3 in season openers.

What's Next?

Top-ranked Humber will continue its two-game road trip on Oct. 29 against the Canadore Panthers. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.