The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have added to the local flavor of their men’s basketball program for 2012-13. The WolfPack have announced the signing of 6’9” forward Spencer Jaroszuk of South Kamloops Secondary. Jarosczuk (pronounced Jar-ros-ick) becomes the fourth recruit signed by head coach Scott Clark since the end of the 2011-12 Canada West season.”

Clark is looking forward to working with his latest recruit. “ He is big and he can shoot. From that perspective, he has some skills. The big thing is that he is going to have to learn to rebound and defend his position. If he can do that, he will find himself with some playing time.”

The coach says Jaroszuk will give his team something they lacked last season. “ I thought as the year went on this past year, while we were talented we lacked some size. We got worn down. We have to play with such a high level of energy in order to compete when you are undersized to get a rebound. Size really helps you . If you have it, you can throw out big guy after big guy after big guy and it affords you at the end of the game an advantage. Guys are tired at that point, but big guys are still big.”

Jaroszuk says his main strength is his shooting. “ My size and versatility will also be an advantage.” He averaged 26 points , three blocks and 15 rebounds a game this past season. He will be taking courses in the Bachelor of Science program at Thompson Rivers with future plans for a Masters degree in Physiotherapy.

His South Kamloops Titans finished second in the Okanagan “AAA” league with a record of 9 and 3. He was coached by a pair of former WolfPack players Eric D’Andrea and Tim Unaegbu.

Unaegbu has praise for Jarosczuk “ Spenny can score from anywhere on the floor,” he says. “ He was arguably the best shooter in the province for his size. We relied on him a lot for the offense of our team. He is a big body and is more than confident on the offensive side of the court. That is rare to see from a player coming out of high school.”

Unaegbu adds that Jaroszuk will add a lot in the character department as well. “ He was always loud and ready to play and others fed off his emotions.”

Clark feels that Jaroszuk working with his two former players would likely have meant that he got an introductory lesson on defensive commitment. “Tim is a guy who wants his kids to play with high energy and assign responsibilities. They would have to live up to those responsibilities. I would hope Spencer can transition to our philosophy a little easier than most recruits.”

Jaroszuk said one of the big reasons for coming to Thompson Rivers University was to be able to play before his friends and family. “It will be pretty special to have a large cheering section and to have a good base. I know a lot of people (in the community and at TRU) already.”

Jaroszuk knows that he won’t be able to immediately step into the Canada West. “ It is going to be a huge adjustment. The style of play, how hard you have to play, everything will be so much harder. It is going to be different.”.

He is looking forward to working with coach Clark. “He is very well respected and knows what he is talking about. I think I can learn a lot from him and become a better player.”

When asked about getting big local players to commit to his program for a second straight year, Clark says: ““There must be something in the water here,” he laughs. “ Adding someone of Spencer’s size and skill set is a feather in our cap.”

In 2010-11, the WolfPack signed identical twins Blaze and Ivan Bozinovich from St. Ann’s Academy (both 6’10”).

Clark says it would be unfair to compare the three players at this stage of their development. “The twins would be more back to the basket. He (Jaroszuk) will be more of a player who will step out and face the basket. He has competed at a higher level, competing in the “AAA” provincials as a grade 10 player. He has seen some stiff competition.”

Jaroszuk is looking forward to being a role model in his community. “When I was younger, I always looked up to the older athletes. Now it is my chance to give back. I am looking forward to being a part of it.” The WolfPack men’s basketball team are involved in a number of community activities ranging from the Terry Fox runs in elementary schools to working at the New Life Mission and being a part of the Post Media/Kamloops Daily News Raise a Reader campaign.

DOUBLE DRIBBLES: Jaroszuk hit 108 free throws in a row after practice this past season with the Titans. Unagebu laughs that he never gelled his hair and always wore sweat pant material shorts with moxie slippers on the road.

The WolfPack had three players with ties to Kamloops on their roster in 2010-11: the Bozinovich brothers and Connor Dolson (guard, Sa-hali Secondary).

Other recruits signed by the WolfPack this off season thus far are: Kenny Monture (6’9” post, Terrace, BC-Caledonia Secondary/Walnut Grove Secondary, Langley BC) and Tre Haslom (6’4” guard, Marysville, WA-Lakewood High/Olympic Junior College NWACC)