The NAIT Basketball team is gearing up for an exciting season with the addition of eight new recruits, primarily hailing from the Edmonton area. 

Highlighting the new roster is Patrick Fisher, a transfer from the University of Alberta. Another addition is Omar Farah, returning to Edmonton after playing at Nipissing University.

Other notable recruits include Cameron Knisely, Donovan Caldwell, Serhat Chen, Peter-Aluk Deng, Aaron Snaterse, and Peter Kugba-Nyande. The student-athletes have a wealth of combined strengths and skills to add to the team. 

The team lost four of its five starters with the turnover, so the new players can expect to see plenty of court time in the coming season. With the influx of new talent, building a solid team-oriented culture is a priority for Head Coach Adika Peter-McNeilly, who made sure to point out the value returning players bring to the team as well. "Our returners will have a huge role for us. Kohl Wedman and Mikkel Manio are one year better and will have an impact on the culture we are trying to establish. We are heading in the right direction, and if we continue to embrace our returners like Gabriel Humilde and newcomers like Donovan Caldwell, we will be a force to reckon with."   

The coach also emphasized the importance of patience and trusting the process when it comes to athlete development. "The learning curve to be successful takes time and is different for everyone," he stated. 

Recognizing the differences in pace and experience, the team intends to focus on foundational skills and tactical understanding through regular practice and film analysis.  

As the season approaches, the NAIT coaching staff remains committed to fostering an environment where all student-athletes can thrive. "With all of these moving pieces, it's important we stay patient and trust the process of getting better every day, and most importantly, our new student-athletes enjoy their NAIT experience," Coach Peter-McNeilly said in conclusion.  

The team will play their first regular-season game at home against Keyano College on October 25th at 8 pm.