Metro Vancouver…..The KPU Eagles department of athletics and recreation and men’s basketball head coach Vladimir Nikić are pleased to announce the signing of Vartan Tanielian, White Rock, BC to the Eagles for the for the 2015/16 PACWEST CCAA season. The 6’4 shooting guard transfers to KPU from Trinity Western University (TWU) after playing his first-year of eligibility with the Spartans (Canada West, CIS) in 2014/15. He will study business with a major in entrepreneurial leadership.
“I am extremely excited to have one of the best shooters in Canada West and one of the best players from the 2013 grad class commit to our KPU Basketball program,” said Coach Nikić, “Vartan is an excellent addition to our young team and his leadership will help our current players mature into experienced basketball players.”
Tanielian and Coach Nikić at the KPU Eagles' Nest
Originally from Jbeil, Lebanon, the 2013 graduate of White Rock Christian Academy Warriors played one season with the Future College Prep program in California before embarking on his university basketball career with the Spartans. Tanielian’s awards and accomplishments include: named to the 2013 BC High School AAA Provincials All-Star Team; Fraser Valley 1st team All-Star in 2012 and 2014, Vancouver College Emerald Tournament top defensive player 4 years in a row, Surrey RCMP three-point shooting champion and 2011 junior boys provincial champion.
Vartan’s depth of experience, combined with strong basketball IQ, skills, and drive will be a strong asset to the KPU team.“Vartan will immediately improve our team’s offensive performance by stretching the floor and helping our ball movement. He is an excellent shooter and can hit shots off the dribble, screens, and stationary,” explained Coach Nikić, “Vartan is also able to penetrate to the basket at any time and he is a very reliable team-defender. Above all, Vartan possesses tremendous character. He has a great heart, he displays positive attitude, and he is always playing FOR the team. His leadership skills will definitely fill the gap created by the loss of our graduating senior, and captain, James Bradshaw.”
2015/16 Eagles new recruits and teammates Tanielian & Untalan at the Eagles' Nest
Tanielian joins Wowie (Wayne) Untalan, North Delta, BC (point guard, presently a senior with the Delview Raiders) as the first two members of the Eagles 2015 recruiting class. “With Vartan and Wowie running in the backcourt we will be a threat to our opponents from multiple positions,” stated Coach Nikić, “Both Wowie and Vartan will be able to involve their teammates, particularly Nick Smith and Trevor Schulz, who will not only get more touches on offense, but will also be able to run the floor and score in transition.” Like Untalan, Tanielian is known for his strong character, exemplary work ethic and team-focused perspective, qualities in which Coach Nikić highly values as he builds his program. “I am deeply impressed with Vartan’s work ethic and his desire to become a better basketball player. I am truly looking forward to coaching such a talented person,” concludes Coach Nikić.
The KPU Eagles men's basketball program will host their 2015 Player Identification Camp on April 16, 2015, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Eagles’ home gymnasium on the KPU Surrey campus. The purpose of this camp is to identify any Grade 11 and 12 students or any prospective or current KPU students who are interested in playing interuniversity/collegiate varsity basketball at the PACWEST CCAA levels for the KPU Eagles.
Please pre-register for the men's basketball camp* online by filling out the webform and waiver (see links below) prior to Friday, February 27th 2015. The completed waivers and payment of the $20.00 fee must be submitted to our KPU Eagles staff at the field before warm-ups in order for you to participate.
*Any players 18 years of age and under are required to have their waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
Photo Credit: KPU Sports Information
For more information on the men's basketball 2015 Player Identification Camp, please contact Vladimir Nikić, head coach, at mbasketball@kpu.ca.
For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.
The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC. The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
Follow the Eagles on Twitter @KPU Eagles, on Facebook www.facebook.com/KPUEagles, or on our website www.kpu.ca/eagles.