With only six returning players from last year, the Windsor Lancers men's basketball team will be relying on a lot of young new talent this season.
    
With the loss of so many graduates from last year, including the Ken Shields award recipient and OUA all-star, Mike Rocca, head coach Chris Oliver is putting emphasis on the development of his young players.
    
"Our young players have the potential to be special," said Oliver. "But they will need time and experience to match their talents. Daily improvements added up over time will improve our players and team, and lead to us being better at the end of the year compared to where we start at."
    
Among these freshmen is Windsor native Thomas Kennedy, a graduate of St. Joseph's High School. 
    
"Thomas has potential to be impactful," Oliver said. "We hope he can contribute right away, and he will get an opportunity to help us in anyway he can."
    
However, Oliver kept his focus on development by explaining that potential alone is not enough, and that Kennedy, like everybody else, will have to work hard and commit to his own improvement.
    
To lead this young squad, coach Oliver will be looking to Damian Persaud. Persaud averaged 8.4 points per game, with 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while hitting 47.9% of his shots last season.

Coach Oliver's daily improvement approach to development led the team to some success last season. After starting the season off with only four wins in their first 10 games, the team ended the regular season with a 13-11 record, winning their final three games and continuing to the semi-finals of the OUA Championships.

The Lancers begin their season in Waterloo on Oct. 20 at 8:00pm, where they face off against the Warriors. The game can been seen live on oua.tv. The Lancers host the York Lions for their home opener on Nov. 2 at 8:00pm. Season tickets are available online at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.