Men's Basketball | 9/20/2017 4:31:00 PM

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's basketball squad has completed its 2017-18 recruiting class, adding four players into the mix for the upcoming season.
 
Shippensburg loses just one starter from last year's team that finished with the best record in school history (27-4) and won the 2017 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship.
 
"We have had some great recruiting classes over the past few years, and I am optimistic that this year's group will follow suit," head coach Chris Fite said. "These men are all very talented, but more importantly, they fit the personality of our team and this program. They are tough, competitive and unselfish young men and I am confident each one will contribute greatly to this team's success and represent our program and university in a positive manner both on and off the court."
 
The recruits are as follows:
 
JAKE BISS – Point Guard – 6-2 – 175
 
Biss is the all-time assists leader for Latrobe High School. He led his team to back-to-back-to-back section championships from 2015-17. As a senior, Biss averaged 12 points, six assists and four rebounds per game. He earned All-Conference honors as a junior and senior, and was selected to participate in the 2017 Roundball Classic – acknowledgment as one of the top players in the WPIAL. Additional recognition came in the form of a selection to the exclusive "Terrific 10" squad by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Off the court, Biss exceled as a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and was a recipient of the Rotary Leadership Award. At Shippensburg, Biss will be majoring in Finance in the John L. Grove College of Business.
 
Coach Fite on Biss: "Jake is a proven winner, a leader, and a true floor general. He is a pass-first point guard that can score when necessary. He gives us some size and depth at the point guard position. He makes guys around him better, and I have no doubt he is going to be a great fit with the players we already have here."
 
DOM SLEVA – Wing/Forward – 6-6 – 200
 
Sleva missed his junior basketball season at Montour High School due to a severe football injury, but made up for lost time as a senior by averaging 24 points and eight rebounds per game for the Spartans. His outstanding senior year resulted in a selection to the Class 5A Section 2 All-Conference team. Like Biss, Sleva also was recognized as one of the top players in the WPIAL with his selection to participate in the 2017 Roundball Classic. In addition to his success on the court, Sleva was an honors student and plans to select a major within the John L. Grove College of Business at Shippensburg.
 
Coach Fite on Sleva: "Dom is a very talented and extremely versatile player. His ability to shoot the three, put the ball on the floor, and score with his back to the basket makes him a very difficult matchup.  In addition to that, he is relentless on the boards and on the defensive end of the floor. He really fits our system and the way we play, and will be a great piece to the puzzle for us moving forward."
 
NA'QUAN COUNCIL – Combo Guard – 6-0 – 175
 
Council is a sophomore transfer from NCAA Division I Manhattan. He played at Highland Regional High School in New Jersey and spent a post-graduate season at the nearby Scotland Performance Institute. During his senior season in New Jersey he averaged 21 points, six rebounds and four assists per game – helping his team to a school-record 21 victories and a 21-5 record. Council earned All-Conference First Team honors and was recognized as "Camden County's Most Clutch Player." He also appeared in the Al Carino All Star game and was the winner of the Al Carino Dunk contest.
 
Coach Fite on Council: "Na'Quan is a tough shot-making combo guard that can score in a lot of ways as well as facilitate and make plays for his teammates. On the other end of the court, he is a high-level defender that can guard multiple positions. He is a talented, well-rounded player that will definitely add to our depth and overall firepower."
 
JA'TEAR "JT" GARDNER – Forward – 6-5 – 230
 
Gardner joins the men's basketball team after spending last year at Shippensburg as a student. Gardner played at Piscataway High School and previously attended Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey.
 
Coach Fite on Gardner: "JT is a physical post presence that battles on both ends of the court. He has a nice mid-range game and can finish around the basket. He will provide some depth to our post rotation and bring energy and physicality each time he steps on the court."