VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team returns to competitive Canada West action for the first time in 20 months when they host the Trinity Western Spartans for their season and home opener Thursday evening, October 28^th. Tip off at goes at 8:00 p.m. and the 'Birds will be back in action two days later welcoming the UVic Vikes to War Memorial Gym on Saturday, October 30^th for a 7:00 p.m. start time.
 
Head coach Kevin Hanson returns for a 22^nd season and the all-time regular season wins leader in Canada West men's basketball history will be relying on a young new core group of players to lead the T-Birds in 2021-22. First and foremost, it's a collection of players and staff that are relishing the opportunity to have a season and welcome fans back to historic War Memorial Gym. 

"It has been a long time since we played and we are thrilled that the players have the chance again to perform, said Hanson. " Not having the competitive outlet was very difficult for the players and the coaches and there was certainly a void. Getting back to a real game day is very meaningful for all of us."

The nearly two-year gap between games means the roster has undergone some remodeling from the 2019-20 edition of the 'Birds who claimed the Canada West championship followed by a bronze medal at the U SPORTS final 8 in Ottawa. Key departures include the graduation of standout seniors and top scorers Jadon Cohee and Manroop Clair along with sharp shooter Taylor Browne and Zack Moore.


 
With that natural evolution Hanson will look to a cast of very capable newcomers and returning starters to fill the void, beginning with Grant Audu who's ready to be under the spotlight. The versatile and athletic fourth-year guard has the ability to play anywhere on both ends of the floor and is a dual threat that can drive the lane or pull up with a reliable mid to long range jump shot. In 2019-2020, Audu averaged 13.6 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game in 25.5 minutes per game, while shooting 53% from the field and 37% from three.


 
Fellow returning starter, third-year forward Brian Wallack will provide a needed presence and work rate in doing many of the little things to help win ball games while slashing second-year guard Jack Cruz-Dumont will offer important minutes and buckets to the young squad. Staying with familiar faces, returning for his third-year is heady 6-foot-9 forward Lincoln Rosebush who does good work in the paint and collects key rebounds.



"We only have five players that have suited up in a UBC jersey before," added Hanson in reference to the re-tooled roster. "We have some transfers that have played before but just not at UBC. It will take us time to gel, we have a lot of great pieces but we know its going to take time. We are thrilled with our rookies and we are looking forward to seeing them grow within our team and our systems."
 
Joining the returning veterans is a talented mix of incoming recruits and transfers that hope to find early chemistry beginning with crafty third-year guard Kyle Foreman, a Washington State product who heads back west after playing for Boston University. Another intriguing piece is fourth-year Canada West veteran Sukhman Sandhu, the talented 6-foot-10 big man is dangerous from both near the glass and beyond the arc and has enjoyed success at War Memorial Gym as a visitor previously playing for the UFV Cascades. Additional experienced transfers that will make an immediate impact for the T-Birds includes shooting guard James Woods, a native of Surrey, B.C. who as a Grade 11 student led Walnut Grove Secondary to a B.C. AAA championship while being selected tournament MVP. Simply put, he is a scorer. Rounding out the notable newcomers is Jamesly Jerome, a third-year forward who will be a force standing 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 245 pounds, he's a tenacious defender who's transferred from the University of PEI.
 
The new look T-Birds are keen to welcome back fans to War Memorial Gym and will want to make an early impression in their return to regular season action by feeding off that home court advantage energy yet again.
 
Tickets for this season are free but you must register on line to access them. For more information and ticket availability check here.