Men's Basketball

June 9, 2009

Men's Basketball Squad Signs NCAA Division I Transfer Tom Ward


COLCHESTER, Vt. ? Saint Michael's College men's basketball coach Tom O'Shea has announced that Tom Ward (Brighton East Sussex, England/Canarias Basketball Academy) has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Purple Knights beginning in August 2009.

"I chose Saint Michael's because I believe that it will be a great place for me to continue my academic and athletic career," said Ward. "I believe that I can bring a lot to the Saint Michael's men's basketball program, including scoring ability, leadership, and a tireless work ethic."

"Tom is a great shooter who will significantly add to our ability to score from the perimeter," said O'Shea, the program's winningest coach who begins his 13th season at the helm of the Purple Knights this fall. "And having another player with Tom's experience should be of benefit to our program."

A six-foot-five-inch, 190-pound shooting guard and small forward, Ward spent the 2008-09 academic year at Saint Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Ward played in seven games for the Terriers, an NCAA Division I program and member of the Northeast Conference, and scored 12 points in 37 minutes of action. Ward made his collegiate debut against Big East Conference member Seton Hall University.

Prior to playing for Saint Francis, Ward spent the 2007-08 season playing for the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA) in Spain's Canary Islands. Ward averaged 17 points and five assists per game for CBA in 2007-08.

A member of the English National Team for most of his youth career, Ward played for his hometown Brighton Bears until age 18. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the inaugural Luol Deng Basketball Camp in England in 2005, and MVP of the All-Star Game at the Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp in 2006.

Ward will have three years of athletic eligibility remaining. Saint Michael's is coming off of a 10-15 season in 2008-09.

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