Men’s basketball to play in foreign tour for first time

Men’s basketball to play in foreign tour for first time: For the first time, the Wayne State men’s basketball program will compete in a six-day-long Certified Foreign Tour in Toronto and Montreal, playing three games against university-level basketball programs, starting Aug. 9.

“This is our first time actually going (on a foreign tour),” said Warriors’ head coach David Greer.“Money purposes and everything, Canada just fits.”

The reason for choosing this season to be the first time the team goes on a foreign tour, Greer said, is to get injured players, and players who sat out last season, back into basketball shape before the regular season starts.

“Basically (we’re going on the tour) because we had some guys last year who got banged up, Mike Hollingsworth didn’t play, Ian Larkin had a little minor hip surgery at the end of the season and then we had a couple kids sitting out last year that didn’t get a chance to play,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for those guys to get some experience against some college level competition.”

According to Greer, the team will get 10 practice days, which is a great benefit for him because over the summer “you’re not allowed to actually have access to your team.”

“Getting the opportunity for 10 days of practice to get the guys back in the gym and work on some fundamental stuff is great,” he said.

But the tour isn’t all about basketball, Greer pointed out. He noted that it is a great opportunity for the players to experience a different culture.

“It will be a good cultural experience for the guys,” he said. “Montreal is a very exciting place so hopefully they’ll get a chance to enjoy themselves and do some sightseeing, (while) mixing in a little basketball.

“It’s one of those situations where the guys can relax and play and still have an enjoyable experience,” Greer said.

As announced last week, three new Warriors were added to the team this offseason. Those players are freshmen forward Mike Lewis and guard Robert Andrews and Liberty University transfer Chene Phillips, who spent the past two seasons playing for the Division I Flames.

“He’s a very intelligent kid,” Greer said about Lewis. “He brings a level of toughness, good defensive player. I anticipate him being able to come in and be able to contribute as a freshman.”

On Andrews, Greer said he’s “very explosive, a good athlete also.(I) certainly think Robert has the ability to contribute.”

“We’re excited about Phillips,” Greer said. “He gives us a great defensive guard. Chene is more than capable of stepping in and providing (for) some of the loss (of Dale Brundidge and Stacey Waters).”

Although he’s already signed three players this summer, Greer is still in search of talented players to add to his squad.

“Recruiting is an ongoing process,” Greer said.“We’re still working with some young men, trying to get them acclimated before school, trying to fill that big man void a little bit. Hopefully we can get a couple guys here before (the offseason) is over.”