TOP RECRUIT TURNBULL TO JOIN LIONS NEXT SEASON

The York University men’s basketball team is pleased to announce that Travis Turnbull has committed to join the Lions for the 2010-11 season.

A six-foot guard from Tecumseh, Ont., that can play both guard positions, Turnbull played high school basketball for St. Anne’s High School and was named the team’s most valuable player in each of the last two seasons. This past year, he averaged 18 points, four rebounds and six assists per game while helping St. Anne’s qualify for the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) tournament.

Turnbull was an ‘A’ student in high school and has chosen to major in kinesiology and health science at York.

“I chose York because the coaches, players and everyone else I got the opportunity to meet made it feel like York would be my home away from home,” said Turnbull. “I also liked all the excitement and energy surrounding the program due to Coach Oliveri stepping in, as well as all the young talent on the team. The Lions showed they can compete with any team in the province last year with their win against Carleton and I can’t wait to build on that and start playing.”

Turnbull was also named a Windsor first-team all-star the past two years and was a Windsor second-team all-star in grade 11. At the 2009 Silver Fox Invitational Tournament, he showed off his long range by winning the three-point shooting competition.

“We are ecstatic that Travis has decided to join the York Lions for the fall,” said head coach Tom Oliveri. “He is an outstanding athlete but an even a better person. Travis comes to the team ready to contribute both on the offensive and defensive end. He is far ahead of most players coming into university due to the strong coaching he has received from Larry Loebach and the entire St. Anne’s coaching staff .”

Turnbull is the newest piece of a young Lions team with plenty of upside heading into the upcoming season. He joins a squad that also features former OUA East rookie of the year David Tyndale (Mississauga, Ont.), who was an OUA East second-team all-star in his second season last year, and OUA East all-rookie team members Dejan Kravic (London, Ont.) and Ostap Choliy (Oakville, Ont.).

The Lions will open regular-season play for 2010-11 in October. The full schedule will be released in June.