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SEATTLE – On the heels of his 400th career victory Tuesday night, Seattle University men's basketball Head Coach Jim Hayford has announced the signing of four players who make up the program's latest recruiting class.
"I am pleased to announce this incoming class of Seattle U basketball players," said Hayford. "A lot of hard work and careful selection went into bringing this group of student-athletes to our university. I'm confident that they will excel in the classroom, on the basketball court and in our community."
Leo Da Campo, younger brother of current Redhawk Mattia Da Campo, is a 6-9 forward from Bassano del Grappa, Italy. Competing for Casale Monferrato club team, Da Campo averaged 15.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game during the 2018-19 season, including career highs of 34 points and 22 rebounds.
Da Campo has also been a member of the Italian U16 and U18 national teams, competing in the 2018 and 2019 FIBA European Championships.
"Leo is an intelligent big man who is developing into an excellent skilled post," Hayford said. "We have really enjoyed coaching his brother, Mattia, and look forward to his development into one of the top big men in the WAC."
Viktor Rajkovic is a native of Mill Valley, Calif., and Golden State Prep. He attended The Branson School in Ross, Calif. A dual-sport athlete in high school, Rajkovic competed in basketball and swimming for the Bulls. Four standout seasons of hoops culminated with a 2019 Marin County Athletic League title, a California Division IV North Coast Section championship and a DI NorCal runner-up finish. All told, the Bulls won three conference titles, three section titles and two NorCal runner-up finishes.
Rajkovic, a 6-5 forward, averaged 20.4 points and 11.3 rebounds as a senior on his way to earning San Francisco Chronicle Metro Player of the Year, NCS Player of the Year, MCAL Player of the Year, Marin Independent Journal Player of the Year and DI/Open Division All-State Second Team.
"Viktor brings a college-ready skill set to our program and an instinctive knack for making winning plays," said Hayford. "He led his high school team to great accomplishments, has superior intelligence and work ethic, and a strong desire to be the very best player he can be."
Nate Robinson, a 6-4 guard, will join the Redhawks following a sophomore season at City College of San Francisco. The Walnut Creek, Calif., native prepped at Las Lomas High School where he led the Knights to the 2018 NorCal DI Championship and a California State runner-up finish. He was named 2018 Diablo Valley Athletic League MVP, MVP of the NorCal championship game and Cal-Hi Sports North Coast Section Co-Player of the Year.
Robinson has been a member of the Great Britain U18 and U20 National Teams. He helped lead the U20 team to a program-best eighth-place finish and the U18 team to a program-best seventh-place finish.
"Nate gives us an athletic, strong lead guard," Hayford said. "He has extensive international experience and had a great high school career in Northern California. He brings great athleticism to his position and we are confident he can be one of the top defensive guards in the WAC."
Vasja Pandža is a 6-8 guard who comes to Seattle U from The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn. Pandža attended high school at The Kiski School in Pennsylvania where he averaged 19 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists during his senior season, and led the squad to a pair of Pennsylvania State playoff appearances. Pandža also competed for the PSA Cardinals, a premier AAU program on the EYBL circuit.
Prior to moving to the United States, Pandža lived in England where he played for the Leeds Force club team. He also has national team experience, playing for Great Britain in 2015-16.
"Vas is very skilled and can play multiple positions on the court," said Hayford. "He brings size and great shooting to his game, which is highlighted by being an excellent passer. He has extensive international experience and is part of the Hotchkiss School basketball program that we think very highly of."