Lakers basketball continues building

While there is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of time before the inaugural Nipissing Lakers men’s basketball season begins, things are looking good early on.Lakers head coach Chris Cheng and his staff are busy assembling a talented first recruiting class, as he has announced another player for the 2014-15 season.
Michael Angenent, who will be studying business, is a 6-foot-8 post player who played at St. Thomas of Villanova College, located in King City, ON. Angenent currently lives in Schomberg, ON and is the second recruit to join the Lakers.
Cheng said each signing and each recruit he successfully brings to the program builds the excitement for everyone involved in the program.
“It’s another historic day for Nipissing University and Lakers Men’s Basketball Program as we add another high caliber student-athlete to our program. Michael is a fine young man that plays with a lot of passion and aggression. Michael has experience of playing against elite competition both in the AAU scene and through Ontario Basketball Association High Performance Programs,” Cheng said of his second recruit. “Michael shoots the ball well and has great size and strength. He is very determined and self-motivating to get better and we are dedicated as a coaching staff to guide and support his development as a person, student, and basketball player. We are extremely fortunate that Michael chose Nipissing University, the City of North Bay and our Lakers Basketball Program."
Angenent is equally as excited for the opportunity to play for the Lakers and more specifically to be part of the first recruiting class in Lakers history.
“I am extremely excited to become part of the Lakers basketball program, the chance to bring something new to not only Nipissing University, but to the city of North Bay is a once in a life time opportunity. With Coach Cheng as excited as he is, I can’t help but to be excited to get to work as well,” he said. “It’s an honour to be part of the very first recruiting class. The chance to create our own legacy is an opportunity that doesn’t come around too often. To be one of the few offered this opportunity; it means a lot to me that Coach Cheng and his staff see the potential in me to help start this program.”
Angenent feels he has a lot to offer both on and off the court and knows that with his skill-set, along with the coaching staff his teammates, the Lakers, despite being a new team to the OUA, can compete immediately.
“I believe I am a team player, however, I certainly look for my own shot. I am aware of when my teammates are in a position to make a play. As well, I feel I can play at both ends, offensively and defensively,” he said of his style of game. “On the offensive end I tend to play within 15 feet of the basket, although I have the ability to expand to the perimeter.”
There will be challenges to being the new kids on the block, but that doesn’t scare Angenent at all. In fact, he looks at it as a challenge and one he is looking forward to tackling, with the entire basketball program.
“I expect to have a hardworking team that will be able to compete with other schools. Being a young team there will be a lack of experience, but with the dedication of the coaching staff I believe we will be ready to play. As well, I’ve heard the town is very supportive which will make it easier for our team starting out,” he said.
Now with two players ready to go for next season, Cheng will look to continue to add pieces to the puzzle and carry on building the program.
“Adding Wil and Michael are the first steps towards building our program and team. Both men possess the character traits we identified as a staff for our inaugural program. We look to add more fine young student-athletes to our program in the next couple of weeks,” Cheng noted.?