Oughtn\'t we recruit some more foreign players?

[5thAvenueVik]

Scott Morrison and Tyrell Mara are from British Columbia. Really, Western Oregon, Western Washington and Western British Columbia form what has been termed the "cultural nation" of Cascadia. Even though they are technically foreigners, because of our cultural similarities, it is very hard for me to think of them as such. To me, they are part of our NW family.

I'm thinking mostly in terms of players from traditionally great Olympic basketball nations like Lithuania, Russia, Argentina and other such nations. Australia usually produces some great players.

There is tremendous talent to be had in foreign players wanting to play in the USA college system. This also seems to be a lasting trend throughout the NCAA of which the Vikings have yet to take full advantage.

 

[GustaViking]

True enough, but what's PSU's basketball recruiting budget??
Likely some gas money, and a couple of nights hotel accomodations !!
I mean, Bone and staff probably think UH and June Jones were rolling in money !!

 

[5thAvenueVik]

We have at least one player (volleyball) from Serbia. They play tremendous basketball there. Perhaps we could begin establishing contacts through persons with whom she has contact and work from there. The AD could hire her as a translator-facilitator. International phone calls are not so expensive anymore.

 

[DJViking]

The Serbian VB player went to Gresham High School.

 

[5thAvenueVik]

Ah, that's how she got here. Still, she has contacts back home.

 

[ManOfVision]

There's nothing wrong with foreign recruiting, but it also might not be the best use of limited recruiting funds. I think focusing more on getting local kids, especially from the PIL schools, would be a better use of the recruiting budget.

 

[WiViking]

Friends and family of local products also bring more fans (which the program needs) to home games.