July 12, 2007
RYERSON'S BAKOVIC NAMED TO NATIONAL TEAM
TORONTO, Ont. - Ryerson University basketball player Boris Bakovic has been named to the under-19 men's national team, which will compete at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia, July 12-22.
The Toronto product is the only Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) athlete to make the 12-player Canadian roster.
A 6-foot-8 business management student, Bakovic made an immediate impact in his first year with the Rams, averaging a double-double per game in 2006-07. The East York C.I. graduate was selected to the CIS all-rookie team after finishing fifth in Ontario conference (OUA) scoring and 19th in Canada with 17.4 points per game. He was second in OUA rebounding and fourth in the CIS, pulling down an average of 10.0 rebounds per game.
Bakovic's impressive numbers also include finishing 11th in OUA free-throw percentage (81.4 %), 14th in field goal percentage (48.9 %) and 15th in blocks with 14. Ryerson's Male Rookie Athlete of the Year, he posted 25 or more points in six games, 20 or more points in three games and 10 or more points in six games.
"Ryerson University is extremely proud and happy for Boris," said Rams head coach Glenn Taylor. "His international experience will be a great boost in his overall development as a CIS player. As well, playing in his homeland will be exciting for his friends and family."
Canada will compete in Group C with Australia, Nigeria and Turkey. The Canadians open the World Championship against Nigeria on July 12. The team then faces Turkey on July 13 before concluding group play against Australia on July 14. The classification schedule will begin on July 16 after all preliminary games have been played.
"We feel that we have a great chance to win at this tournament," commented Canadian head coach Greg Francis. "We have a lot of talent on this team and we look forward to competing for a medal while representing Canada."
(Source: Jim McLarty, Ryerson Rams, Sports Information)
The Toronto product is the only Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) athlete to make the 12-player Canadian roster.
A 6-foot-8 business management student, Bakovic made an immediate impact in his first year with the Rams, averaging a double-double per game in 2006-07. The East York C.I. graduate was selected to the CIS all-rookie team after finishing fifth in Ontario conference (OUA) scoring and 19th in Canada with 17.4 points per game. He was second in OUA rebounding and fourth in the CIS, pulling down an average of 10.0 rebounds per game.
Bakovic's impressive numbers also include finishing 11th in OUA free-throw percentage (81.4 %), 14th in field goal percentage (48.9 %) and 15th in blocks with 14. Ryerson's Male Rookie Athlete of the Year, he posted 25 or more points in six games, 20 or more points in three games and 10 or more points in six games.
"Ryerson University is extremely proud and happy for Boris," said Rams head coach Glenn Taylor. "His international experience will be a great boost in his overall development as a CIS player. As well, playing in his homeland will be exciting for his friends and family."
Canada will compete in Group C with Australia, Nigeria and Turkey. The Canadians open the World Championship against Nigeria on July 12. The team then faces Turkey on July 13 before concluding group play against Australia on July 14. The classification schedule will begin on July 16 after all preliminary games have been played.
"We feel that we have a great chance to win at this tournament," commented Canadian head coach Greg Francis. "We have a lot of talent on this team and we look forward to competing for a medal while representing Canada."
(Source: Jim McLarty, Ryerson Rams, Sports Information)
