With the 2019-20 season in the rear window, McMaster Marauders men's basketball head coach Patrick Tatham has his eyes set on another strong campaign with the immediate addition of three new recruits to the program.
 
Joining the roster are Brandon Kenyon, Thomas Matsell, and Nathan Charles.
 
"This recruiting class is a pivotal one for the program," said head coach Tatham. "Going into year four, this class will help move the needle for us and really help our program take a large jump in becoming a top tier team in the OUA and Country."
 
Kenyon, a Caledon, Ont. native, comes to the Marauders after spending two seasons with the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Jaguars. The 6'10 forward competed in seven games in his rookie season dropping a career-high eight points in regular season play and followed it up with 17 games in his sophomore year with the NCAA Division I side.
 
Transferring with the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd, receive an exceptional education, and compete under Tatham, the decision was an exciting one for the forward.
 
"I chose McMaster because it was close to home, and I felt that it was the best fit for me academically," said Kenyon. "I'm familiar with McMaster, and I'm looking forward to being home and playing in front of my family."
 
The forward is not unfamiliar to the steel city, having competed for the not so distant RISE prep wolfpack in Brantford, Ont. upon graduation. Kenyon also featured in the 17U Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL), as well as the 2015 BioSteel Future All-Canadians game – an annual event showcasing the provinces brightest junior talent.
 
Matsell, a Hamilton, Ont. native out of Saltfleet High School, comes to the Marauders with an already pretty successful resume. The 6'6 local standout has guided his basketball side to OFSAA AAA Gold in grade 9, as well as a fourth-place finish in grade 10 & 11 on the provincial stage.
 
A multi-talented athlete in his own right, Matsell also led his football team to a city championship in his grade 9 year and took his talents to track & field a year later placing as a high as fifth at the 2018 OFSSA Championship in the 4kg Shot Put competition.
 
"I'm really excited to compete at the next level and become part of a new family," said Hamiltonian Matsell. "My goals in basketball have always been to be the best I can be, and I'm looking forward to working with the coaching staff and players to continue to push myself to the next level."
 
Charles, hailing from Mississauga, Ont., joins the squad as a guard/wing forward with shooting being his claim to fame. Like Matsell, Charles was a regional winner in his grade 9 season, clinching ROPSAA gold in 2016. The St. Francis Xavier graduate went on to clinch silver at OFSAA to years later.
 
A 6'4 recruit with a 6'8 wingspan, Charles made himself known at an annual Marauder training camp over December and the new recruit stood out immediately with his shooting touch. But his ability to connect was a key feature that Coach Tatham had already taken note of.
 
"Nathan stood out to me first when I saw him at the 2019 CNIT with the Mississauga Monarchs," said Tatham. "He has great size for a 6'4 guard, but his shooting is something that will help the team right away."
 
With the graduation of fifth-year veteran Connor Gilmore, and high-energy forward Damiann Prehay, head coach Tatham knew there were immediate gaps to fill. Seeking out individual skill sets, each of the three newly committed recruits bring a unique talent to bolster the roster.
 
"Each of these guys bring something different that will strength our team immediately."
 
"Nathan brings great size and shooting on the wing, Thomas brings versatility as an inside-out forward, and Brandon with his experience, tenacity, and edge, will help us out in multiple ways."
 
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