The 2009-10 Warren Wilson men's basketball team, under the direction of second-year head coach Kevin Walden, looks to improve on last year's successes as they recorded the most number of wins in sixteen years, more wins than the previous three years combined and two players were named USCAA honorable mention All-Americans

"We definitely experienced some success last season," said Walden.  "The key to this year's team is to build upon what has been accomplished and continue to strive to get better each and every day."

The 2009-10 edition of Fighting Owls basketball will see the influx of five new talented players to the program to go along with return of four lettermen and one starter from last season.  Leading the list of returning players is junior Aleks Spasovksi (Skopje, Macedonia/Veritas Christian Academy).  The six-foot-one-inch combo guard started every game last season averaging 18 points per game and garnering USCAA honorable mention All-American status.  

"We are extremely excited about the prospects of this year's team," said Walden.  "We've got an exciting group of talented new players to go along side a good, quality group of returning players."

Also returning are sophomores Matt Kantor (Wylie, TX/Bishop Lynch High School), Neil Jackson (Bristol, TN/Sullivan Central High School), and James Gaza (Naperville, IL/North High School).  Kantor saw time last season at point guard and will once again battle for playing time at the same position.  Jackson, a six-foot-six-inch forward, transferred in second semester for the Owls and will see time again at the forward spot.  These three will be joined by versatile forwards Luke Bruin (Chapel Hill, NC/Chapel Hill High School) and Stefan Janjic (Lexington, VA/Rockbridge County High School) as returning players in the program.

The guard position will also include a strong class of players new to the program.  Junior swingman Royal Prendergast (Bellingham, WA/Squalicum High School), freshman point guard Dan Jackson (Chicago, IL/Lindblom Math and Science Academy), and fellow freshman guards Sanders Dorough (Albany, GA/Vermont Academy) and Kyle Martin (Apopka, FL/Lake Brantley High School) will all see time in the backcourt for the Fighting Owls.  Also vying for playing time will be junior Swarup Thapa (Kathmandu, Nepal) who joins the program as a first-year player.

"Our guard position is much deeper and just as talented as last year," said Walden.  "We've got guys who can shoot the ball and play multiple positions which will create match up problems for opposing defenses."

Joining returners Neil Jackson, James Gaza, Luke Bruin, and Stefan Janjic in the post will be freshman newcomer Patrick Albright (Kingsport, TN/Sullivan Central High School).  The six-foot-three-inch Albright is a very skilled and versatile post player who brings speed and athleticism to the Owls lineup as well as a very high basketball IQ.

"I can't be more pleased with the efforts of our guys," said Walden.  "They've made a huge commitment to the success of Warren Wilson College basketball and they're ready to help turn the corner as a program."

The schedule for the Owls is tough as usual.  They play three games against NCAA Division II opponents in Mars Hill College (1) and North Greenville University (2) and five games versus NAIA Division II opponents Montreat College (2), Berea College (2), and Asbury College (1).  The Owls open up at Johnson Bible College November 3 and play their first home game on November 7 versus Mid Atlantic University at 1:00 pm.