Toledo Signs Keshaun Saunders and T.J. Smith to National Letters of Intent
4/11/2018 12:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio — University of Toledo Head Men's Basketball Coach Tod Kowalczyk announced the signing of 6-5, 190-pound guard Keshaun Saunders (Brampton, Ont.) and 6-8, 200-pound forward T.J. Smith (Matteson, Ill.) to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. The duo will attend the University of Toledo beginning in the 2018-19 academic year.
"We're extremely excited to have both Keshaun and T.J. join our basketball program," Kowalczyk said. "Both will be able to impact our program in different ways, and I can't wait for them to arrive on campus."
Saunders averaged 21.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game this past year for Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ont., where he played with University of Michigan recruit Ignas Brazadeikis. Saunders is a three-time participant in the Biosteel Canadian All-Star Game, which features the Top 24 high school players in Canada, and is a two-time second-team Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association all-star.
"Keshaun is a very talented guard who can be an impact player for us right away," Kowalczyk said. "He has the length to be a special defender, and I love how he shoots the ball. Keshaun has some versatility as well with his ability to play at the point and shooting guard position."
Smith played this past season for Aspire Academy, a national high school program located in Louisville, Ky. In the 2016-17 campaign, Smith averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and nearly three assists at Wesley Christian High School in Allen, Ky.
"T.J. is a long, athletic, skilled forward who will primarily play as a perimeter forward for us," Kowalczyk said. "He has a good feel for the game and the potential to be a good rebounder. I think he's coming into a great situation where he can play for us right away and still learn from a senior like Nate Navigato about what it's like to play the position."
"We're extremely excited to have both Keshaun and T.J. join our basketball program," Kowalczyk said. "Both will be able to impact our program in different ways, and I can't wait for them to arrive on campus."
Saunders averaged 21.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game this past year for Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ont., where he played with University of Michigan recruit Ignas Brazadeikis. Saunders is a three-time participant in the Biosteel Canadian All-Star Game, which features the Top 24 high school players in Canada, and is a two-time second-team Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association all-star.
"Keshaun is a very talented guard who can be an impact player for us right away," Kowalczyk said. "He has the length to be a special defender, and I love how he shoots the ball. Keshaun has some versatility as well with his ability to play at the point and shooting guard position."
Smith played this past season for Aspire Academy, a national high school program located in Louisville, Ky. In the 2016-17 campaign, Smith averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and nearly three assists at Wesley Christian High School in Allen, Ky.
"T.J. is a long, athletic, skilled forward who will primarily play as a perimeter forward for us," Kowalczyk said. "He has a good feel for the game and the potential to be a good rebounder. I think he's coming into a great situation where he can play for us right away and still learn from a senior like Nate Navigato about what it's like to play the position."
Players Mentioned
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