The summer’s been busy for the entire athletic department, especially for men’s basketball. Coaches Randy Casey and Travis Mrozek have been actively recruiting transfers and incoming freshmen while reviewing old tapes to map out their goals for the upcoming season.
The coaches and their staff are eager to begin drills and build this team. Recruitment is in full swing as they assemble their roster with a mix of freshmen and transfers. One name turning heads is incoming sophomore Raydelh Boutin, a guard from New York whose stats speak for themselves. Coach Mrozek said that Boutin comes in with not only experience but also plays at a high level. “He’s a tenacious competitor, and he will be a key component in helping this team mature,” Mrozek said. Boutin averages 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.9 assists per game.
The Recruitment Process
Recruiting is not an easy process; it takes time. Coach Mrozek notes that they receive up to 40 emails a day from students across the country who are interested in playing for the Stormers. Mrozek also points out that it can be challenging to file through all the information for each player that stands out. “If a prospect stands out, we start to reach out to people around them to see if they might be a good fit,” he said. Mrozek also mentioned that there are times when they are the ones reaching out to players, trying to convince them that playing here would be a good choice. The coaches get in contact with these individuals through various means, including phone calls, text messages, Zoom meetings, or having them visit the campus. With all the signings of incoming freshmen and sophomores for the upcoming season, Coach Mrozek notes that it is common to have last season’s staff members return.
Team Leadership and Chemistry
In sports, every team needs someone willing to guide the team when it’s struggling, offer advice, or simply support one another. Coach Mrozek emphasized the importance of leadership this season, noting that players such as sophomore Boutin and many others are key figures in building team chemistry. “We are returning Noah Daniels and Kamarion Ivory from last year’s team,” Mrozek said. He also highlighted other players like Jordan Jones and Qi’Andre Washington who competed during the 2023-24 season. “Each of them brings a unique experience and knowledge that can help in leadership roles during this current season,” Mrozek added.
