Eagles expect to play in three cities with roster including five players from 'Down Under'
Felix Von Hoffe: Home for a visit.
With five players on its 2016-17 roster from Australia, the Eastern Washington University men's basketball program will tour the country in August.
The Eagles will play a total of 8-10 games in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns. In September of 2012, following the first season in the tenure of head coach Jim Hayford, the Eagles toured Canada for eight days.
"A big bonus is we get 10 extra summer practices on top of the games," Hayford said. His team must replace a trio of seniors that include all-time leading scorer Venky Jois. "That will help this team form their identity for the upcoming season."
The five players on Eastern's roster from Australia include senior Felix Von Hofe (Melbourne), sophomore Geremy McKay (Melbourne), sophomore Jesse Hunt (Geraldton) and freshman redshirt Michael Wearne (Croydon). The lone newcomer to the squad from Australia is freshman Mason Peatling (Melbourne).
Jois, who is currently pursuing opportunities in the National Basketball Association, is from Boronia (near Melbourne). He had 1,803 points, 1,015 rebounds and 240 blocked shots in his 122-game career as an Eagle and paved the way other Australians to attend EWU.
"Everyone in the program is happy these guys will get to play in front of their families and friends," Hayford said. "They each make great sacrifices being away from loved ones for so much of the year.
Outside support of the team makes the trip possible, Hayford said. "We are grateful to all the generous gifts that made a trip like this which is outside of our budget possible," he said.
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