MORAGA, Calif. — We are midway through the Summer, and the 2024-25 Saint Mary's Men's Basketball team is already taking shape. While Head Coach
Randy Bennett has nine student-athletes returning from last year's roster, including 2024 WCC Player of the Year
Augustas Marciulionis and 2024 WCC Defensive Player of the Year
Mitchell Saxen, he does also have a heft incoming class of six new student-athletes who have made their way to Moraga. Here's a little about each one of these newcomers ahead of the 2024-25 season:
Paulius Murauskas, 6-8, Forward, Kaunas, Lithuania (Arizona)
Last Year: Murauskas spent his freshman campaign in Tucson, playing for Head Coach Tommy Lloyd at the University of Arizona. The big man was a four star recruit a season ago, and appeared in 23 games for the Wildcats a year ago, averaging 2.7 points per contest, and knocking down 51.9% of his three point attempts. He dropped a career-high 12 points against the Sun Devils of Arizona State, and ripped down a career-best 10 boards against Southern. More than half of his shots came from beyond the three point arc, and he was the only Wildcat to shoot better than 50% from three a season ago.
From Coach Bennett: "Paulius is a forward who we think can really help us offensively. He's a good rebounder that we can also develop into a strong defender that can really help us at the forward position."
Ashton Hardaway, 6-8, Forward, Carson, Calif. (Memphis)
Last Year: Hardaway began his collegiate career playing for his father, former NBA standout and current Memphis Head Coach Penny Hardaway. As a member of the Tigers, Hardaway appeared in 30 of 32 games, starting three. Coming to Memphis as the 17th ranked power forward in the 2023-24 recruiting cycle, he saw more action than any other true freshman for the Tigers in 2023-24, averaged 2.3 points per contest, with nearly 75% of his shots coming from long range. Hardaway caught the nation's attention during the 2024 Battle for Atlantis, when he came off the bench to score 17 points on 6-9 shooting (5-7 from three) against Michigan in a 71-67 victory.
From Coach Bennett: "Ashton can help us at both the small forward and power forward position. We feel that he is a gifted scorer and an athletic wing that can develop into a really good defender and help us on both ends of the floor. We think he has a tremendous upside as he gets more experience on the court."
Mikey Lewis, 6-3, Guard, Oakland, Calif. (Prolific Prep)
Last Year: Lewis joins the Gaels out of Prolific Prep, where he was ranked #83 in the 2024 ESPN 100. Seeing time at both point guard and shooting guard, Lewis helped Prolific Prep to a 34-6 record and a trip to the Chipotle High School National Championship Tournament. Lewis was named to the United State All-Star Team for the 2024 Hoop Culture Capital Classic, and spent time with the Oakland Soldiers of the EYBL, where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists en route to being named second team All-EYBL.
From Coach Bennett: "We feel that Mikey will come in and help us as a scoring guard. He can play both guard positions and has a real feel for putting the ball in the basket. He can help us shooting and scoring right away, and he wants to get better every day, so we can develop him into a solid defender like our returning guard."
Joshua Dent, 6-3, Guard, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia (Centre of Excellence)
Last Year: Keeping the Australia to Moraga pipeline alive and well, Dent comes to Saint Mary's from the Australian Centre of Excellence, where he was a teammate of
Rory Hawke just two years ago. Dent did a bit of everything at COE last season, averaging seven points, five rebounds and five assists. Dent also represented Australia in the U17 FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 13 points and four assists per contest, shooting 49% from the field.
From Coach Bennett: "Joshua is more of a point guard type player, but can also play as a combo guard. He has an excellent feel for the game and he's extremely tough. His high basketball IQ and his ability to defend well will help us right away."
Liam Campbell, 6-4, Guard, Meridian, Idaho (Owyhee HS)
Last Year: Campbell comes to Saint Mary's after a stellar prep career that saw him recognized as the #2 player out of the state of Idaho for the class of 2024. He was honored as the Idaho State Player of the Year after leading Owyhee to 17 straight victories to close out his senior season, capturing the IDHSAA 5A State Title for the second time in his career. Campbell averaged 16.8 points and 5 rebounds per contest throughout his prep career, and was a 40.5% shooter from beyond the arc.
From Coach Bennett: "Liam is a good scorer. He can play either the two or three for us. We really like his toughness and determination as a player that will help us win. He should be a solid offensive player for us."
Oliver Faubert, 6-9, Forward, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada (Fort Erie International Academy)
Last Year: A lengthy four man who was ranked the number one prep player out of the provence of Ontario, Faubert comes to Saint Mary's from the For Erie International Academy. Playing at For Erie in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association a season ago, Faubert averaged 12 points per contest, and shot 64.3% from three. While Faubert demonstrated a keen ability to score, he also was able to average 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game last year.
From Coach Bennet: "Oliver is an athletic stretch four type player and an extremely hard worker. As he continues to adjust to the college game, he continues to show great upside, and he has an excellent attitude that will help him become a good player for us."
#GaelsRise
