PORTLAND, Ore. --- The University of Portland has added Canarias Basketball Academy skilled big man Thomas van der Mars (6-10, 225) to the 2011-12 basketball roster, Pilots head coach Eric Reveno announced on Tuesday. A former member of the Dutch Under-20 National Team, van der Mars will be on campus to attend summer school and is the fourth member of a highly touted incoming class.
“We are very excited to have Thomas join the Pilot family for the 2011-12 season,” Reveno said. “Thomas brings the kind of commitment to success both in the classroom and on the court that has become a critical part of our formula. He had good international experience and will give us the additional size in the frontcourt we were looking for to round out this class.”
A native of Gouda, Netherlands, van der Mars will transfer to Portland from the prestigious Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University in The Netherlands. He successfully completed a full year of study in their renowned International Global Business Management program and has spent the last year training at the prestigious Canarias Basketball Academy in Gran Canaria, Spain, under former Division I coach, Rob Orellana. During the summer of 2010, van der Mars competed for the Dutch Under-20 National Team at the FIBA A-Division European Championships in Croatia.
“Thomas has benefitted from some of the most intense and comprehensive training at the amateur level under Rob Orellana,” Reveno noted. “Thomas has been drilled in the fundamentals of the game and learned an incredible work ethic during his time at CBA. Coach Orellana has proven his ability to get student-athletes ready for the rigors of Division I basketball. We expect Thomas to fit in nicely with the three young men we signed last fall.”
Portland graduated four seniors that lifted the program to the best three-year stretch in program history. The team is coming off of back-to-back 20-win seasons and three consecutive postseason tournament appearances. Replacing the outgoing seniors is the most decorated incoming class in Reveno’s six years with the school. In addition to van der Mars, the Pilots signed a trio of talented prep prospects during the fall signing period.
2011 University of Portland Recruiting Class
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Hometown (Previous Schools)
|
|
Kevin Bailey
|
G
|
6-5
|
190
|
Clovis, Calif. (Clovis East HS)
|
|
David Carr
|
G
|
6-3
|
170
|
Portland, Ore. (Central Catholic HS)
|
|
Dorian Cason
|
F
|
6-7
|
210
|
Fontana, Calif. (Summit HS)
|
|
Thomas van der Mars
|
C
|
6-10
|
225
|
Gouda, Netherlands (Erasmus Univ./Canarias Basketball Academy)
|
*Kevin Bailey is the program’s first top 100 national prospect (HoopScoopOnline.com No. 97) and was named the No. 11 prospect in the state of California.
*Dorian Cason is rated the No. 24 prospect in the state of California by Cali High Sports. He led Summit to the CIF Southern California Division II title and a runner-up finish at the state championships.
*David Carr is a local sharpshooter who won the Les Schwab Invitational Three-Point Contest for the third straight year last December.
Q&A With Thomas van der Mars…
Describe how you feel about coming to the University of Portland.
I'm very excited about coming to the University of Portland. I heard nothing but great things about the university, its basketball program and its students. I definitely look forward to starting basketball practice at UP and meeting my new teammates.
Why did you choose UP?
I chose UP because it really seemed to be the best fit for me. The basketball program is focused on developing players and the coaches are extremely committed to making you the best player possible. Academically, UP is a great choice as well.
What were the biggest factors in your decision?
I think the fact that the coaching staff has been so successful in finding these great basketball players and letting them play in the right position, is perhaps the biggest factor. To me it really shows with all the success UP's basketball program has had these last years.
Describe your game and style of play? What can you bring to this team?
I prefer playing the low post with my back to the basket. This last year I've also been working on my mid-range shot. As far as my contribution to the team: besides being a post presence, I'm hardworking, aggressive on both ends of the court and I will never give up on a defensive position!
What are you most excited about coming to Portland?
Getting better every day!
What is one interesting thing most people might not know about you?
My uncle and his family used to live in Oregon, which is also one of the reasons why I've been to Portland before. I passed through on holiday when I was only six years old.
What are your parents’ and siblings' names?
My father's name is Peter and my mother's name is Anke. I have one little brother (16 years): Thijs.
