Fourth year University of Manitoba Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp has announced the commitment of guard Davidson Joseph and forwards Andre Arruda-Welch, Wyatt Anders and Brett Jewell to the Bison program for the upcoming 2012-13 season. Joseph, 21, is a 6’4”, 181 lbs. guard who last played for the 2012 Provincial Championship Division 1 college basketball team at Collège Ahuntsic (CEGEP, RESQ) in Montreal. Joseph was a named a 2011-12 RESQ First Team All-Star after averaging 17 point per game (ppg.) along with seven assists per game (apg.) and seven rebounds per game (rpg.) last season. At the 2012 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association men's basketball championship, Joseph was the team top scorer with 23 points in the semi-final match as Collège Ahuntsic made the National final four. In addition, the Montreal native was selected as a tournament all-star team. Prior to college, he was part of the 2009 Quebec Provincial Championship team with Georges Vanier School.
Schepp commented, “We are extremely excited to have Davidson join our program. He is a mature player that can make an impact right away. He is a proven winner as he has come from a National Final Four team this year in Ahuntsic. His summer AAU team, Brookwood Elite, has produces some of the top talent in the country year after year. He has the ability to score, defend and make his teammates better.”
Arruda-Welch, 18, is a 6’4”, 170 lbs. forward who finished his high school career at Garden City Collegiate. He was part of the 2011-12 AAAA” Provincial High School Basketball Championship as Garden City won the title game when co-captain and ‘AAAA’ Championship All-Star Arruda-Welch scored 30 points and 12 rebounds in the finals. The Winnipeg native averaged approximately 25 ppg., 12 rpg. and four apg. during the 2011-12 season plus was named 2012 Manitoba Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) ‘AAAA’ Male Player of the Year. He was also the number one ranked high school basketball player in the province by the Winnipeg Sun in 2012; selected First Team All-Manitoba; MVP of two tournaments (St. Vital, WIT) and Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association (MHSAA) Athlete of the Week (Jan. 17/12).
Schepp stated, “Andre was without question the top performer this year in Manitoba high school basketball. He has grown tremendously as an athlete in the last few years playing under former Bison Phil Penner at Garden City and in our very own Junior Bison Program. This year he moved his game outside and has shown a tremendous ability to score, rebound and make big plays when his team needed. As he develops physically, we feel he will be a very good player in Canada West and are excited to see him develop with us.”
Anders, 21, is a 6’7”, 205 lbs. forward who last played with Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) after playing high school at Sturgeon Heights Collegiate. The Winnipeg native averaged 18 ppg., 16 rpg. and three apg. in 2011-12 with CMU and was named Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) MVP. In his first year with CMU in 2010-11, Anders was also named MCAC co-MVP and rookie of the year with CMU. He was captain of CMU’s team for his two seasons, averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in both seasons and broke the record for most points in a one game for CMU and MCAC league basketball with 47 points (Jan. 2011).
“We are very happy to add Wyatt to our roster. Wyatt is another proven winner who adds toughness and versatility to our line-up,” said Schepp. “He dominated the MCAC league the past two seasons under the coaching of former Bison Darcy Coss. He has the ability to defend multiple positions and is a tenacious rebounder. We feel his experience and work ethic will make us a better team in these areas right away.”
Jewell, 18, is a 6’7”, 230 lbs. forward who finished his high school career at John Taylor Collegiate. The Winnipeg native averaged 14 ppg., 12 rpg. and four apg. in 2011-12 plus was named 2012 MBCA ‘AAAA’ All-Manitoba Team. He was also the fifth ranked high school basketball player in the province by the Winnipeg Sun in 2012; selected All-Star of two tournaments (Miles Macdonell, Wesmen Classic), MVP in Oak Park tournament and 2012 ‘AAAA’ Championship All-Star.
Schepp said, “Brett has all the tools to be great CIS student-athlete. Brett is very hard working and at 6’7”, 230 lbs. brings all the physical tools necessary to battle in the paint while competing in the very tough Canada West conference. As Brett develops, we feel he we help us to compete with the very best teams in the country.”