University of the Fraser Valley men's basketball coach Barnaby Craddock is a big believer in recruiting players who have a track record of winning.
Back in 2008, Craddock's first full recruiting class for the Cascades featured current standouts Joel Friesen and Jasper Moedt. Both players were coming off a provincial AAA high school title with Abbotsford's Yale Lions, and both players have matured into big-time contributors who helped UFV to a fourth-place finish at nationals this past season.
Craddock is hopeful that his latest signee, 6'5" forward Luke Morris, follows that developmental arc. Morris led the Mission Secondary Roadrunners to a B.C. AA crown this season, and picked up MVP honours at the provincial tourney.
"We want to recruit guys who can win a national championship, and he's definitely a winner above all," Craddock said of Morris. "Just look at the guys like Jasper and Joel. You can see how that ability to win through high school has influenced their ability to win at the CIS level.
"They're not scared to play in any environment."
Morris averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per game with the Roadrunners, but Craddock doesn't see him as a traditional back-to-the-basket forward. His all-around skill set will allow him to thrive on the perimeter as well.
"He's a triple-double threat – he can shoot, pass and rebound," Craddock said.
Morris joins Rav Dhaliwal (6'8" centre, Tamanawis) and Max Neuman (6'3" shooting guard, Maple Ridge) in Craddock's 2012 high school recruiting class.
"I've watched UFV play many times over the last few years and love how they compete and play as a team," Morris said in a press release. "I'm looking forward to being a part of that and studying at UFV."