Seattle University men’s basketball coach Joe Callero has announced that Jared Casey, a 6’11” center who has played at the University of San Francisco for the past two seasons, has signed an athletic aid agreement with Seattle University and will transfer to the school beginning in the fall of 2008.
Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Casey will not be eligible to play for Seattle University during the 2008-09 season, but he will be able to practice with the squad and will use the year as his redshirt season. Casey will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season and plans to be a key contributor as Seattle University makes the transition to Division I.
Casey, a native of Maple Ridge, B.C., has appeared in 25 games for the Dons over the past two seasons, including five appearances in the starting lineup. He averaged 9.6 minutes per game, scoring 33 points, pulling down 44 rebounds, and blocking nine shots during his time on the court.
Casey averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game during his final season at Maple Ridge Secondary School, playing in both the nationally televised All-Canada game and the British Columbia All-Star contest. A three-year starter in high school, he was an honor roll student and was named the top student in mathematics.
“Jared is a perfect student-athlete for Seattle University,” Callero said. “He is very skilled and runs well for his size.”
The Seattle University men’s basketball program is coming off its third consecutive winning season, finishing the 2007-08 season with an 18-9 record, including an 11-7 record in the GNAC. The program will join the rest of the athletic department as it begins the reclassification process to become a Division I member of the NCAA.