POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (June 6, 2014) -- Vassar College head men's basketball coach B.J. Dunne announced the incoming class for the 2014-15 season, which marks the first recruiting class under his tenure as Brewer head coach. Vassar College is coming off its best season in program history, earning the team's first-ever Liberty League Tournament victory while capturing a program-high 19 wins. The squad returns a very solid nucleus, including a trio of All-Liberty League performers in Johnny Mrlik, Alex Snyder and Erikson Wasyl, along with full-time starter Curtis Smith and super-sub post Luka Ladan. This recruiting class brought in by Dunne and assistant coach Seth Eisner will bring depth to the program, while also providing strong options both up front and in the backcourt.

"I am very excited about this incoming freshmen class. This is my first recruiting class as a head coach, and I can't thank this group enough for believing in what I am building here at Vassar College," said Dunne. "Not only are they great basketball players, they are great students who I am confident will contribute greatly to the academic and social life at Vassar. They all come from winning high school programs, which will provide us with a winning and competitive mentality. This class makes our team much deeper and will allow us to do more in practice. The future is bright for our program and this group just made it that much brighter." 

2014-15 INCOMING VC MEN'S BASKETBALL CLASS (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Fabien Bassez - 6-1 - G - Hunter College High School, New York, NY
Individual Accolades: 15 PPG, 7 RPG, 5 APG
From Coach Dunne: "Tough guard who can really score the basketball. Capable of scoring in a variety of ways and will provide us depth at the guard position. He can play on or off the ball and brings a toughness on both sides of the ball."
Why Vassar? I chose to attend Vassar when I found out about the study abroad programs with Wesleyan, the beautiful grand library, the Shakespeare Garden, and the openness that Vassar has towards their students, especially regarding LGBT. Vassar is a close-to-home college that offers one of the best liberal arts educations in the northeast while also hosting a friendly and non-hostile environment academically for its diverse student body. Vassar also fulfills one of my lifelong dreams of becoming a collegiate athlete. I find that sports work well in accordance with academics because they teach dedication, work ethic, and determination, all of which help in becoming successful. To be honest, I was skeptical of the genuine acceptance and kindness of the faculty and student body that I read about online, but when I visited Coach Dunne, and completed my tour, my skepticism vanished. The vibe was more than just positive at Vassar - it was unbelievable.
What are you most excited about? I generally like to take things step-by-step and not look ahead too much so to not get distracted, but I am definitely excited about joining a championship-level team that is hungry for the title after an upsetting loss in the finals last year. Stemming from that, I am extremely excited about the intensity of the life of a college athlete. The offseason conditioning and training, practices, and games are going to be so exciting and fulfilling. Also, playing basketball in college has been a goal of mine for a long time so I am looking forward to that first day I get to wear those Vassar colors!

Jesse Browne - 6-3 - G - Deerfield Academy, Barrington, RI
Individual Accolades: 13 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 APG/1,000 point scorer/NEPSAC Class A Honorable Mention All-League
From Coach Dunne: "Super clever guard with a great basketball IQ and feel. Can score the ball in a variety of ways and will help stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability. Played in arguably the best basketball conference in the country, which is an invaluable experience."
Why Vassar? It offers a perfect blend of academics and athletics that I was looking for.
What are you most excited about? Working to win a Liberty League Championship.

Tony Caletti - 6-3 - PG - Branson School, Ross, CA
Team Record: 26-7
Team Accolades: Won league championship, advanced to sectional finals and state semifinals
Individual Accolades: 10 PPG, 4 RPG, 4 APG, 2 SPG/ Redwood Classic Pre-Season Tournament MVP
From Coach Dunne: "Tony is a pure point guard who comes from a school with rich basketball tradition. His teams have advanced deep into post-season play and he will bring a winning mentality to our program. He is a very good facilitator in the half-court and in transition and can also stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability."
Why Vassar? I chose Vassar because I really loved the school when I took my visit and am excited at the prospect of crafting my own education due to the open curriculum. I love the developing culture of their basketball team and want to be part of the group that hangs the first conference championship banner. 
What are you most excited about? I'm really excited to be living on my own next year and experiencing something totally different by living on the opposite side of the country.  I can't wait to start picking my classes and building towards a degree along with playing for a basketball program that is trying to become an annual league powerhouse.

Spencer Einhorn - 6-5 - F - Mountain Brook High School, Birmingham, AL
Team Record: 34-3
Team Accolades: Alabama 6A (highest classification) State Champions, ranked #26 nationally
Individual Accolades: 9 PPG, 88% FT, 40% 3PT
From Coach Dunne: "Spencer is a stretch "4" but can also play the wing position because of his ability to shoot the 3. He has a good basketball IQ and played on the No. 1 ranked high school team in the state of Alabama and ranked No. 26 nationally by USA Today. Spencer is a gym rat and will help continue the culture that was created this year."
Why Vassar? Chose Vassar for the mixture of great academics with athletics.
What are you most excited about? Most excited about helping the team reach it's goals and meeting new people.

John Madsen - 6-7 - F - Needham High School, Needham, MA
Team Record: 17-3
Team Accolades: Conference Champions, Advanced to 3^rd round of Massachusetts Division 1 State Tournament
Individual Accolades: 8 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG, 2 BPG, team captain, two year starter, 3 year varsity player, All-League Honorable Mention
From Coach Dunne: "John is a tough forward with great length. He plays with great toughness and has good court awareness. He is active around the rim and commits to playing physical something we highly value."
Why Vassar? Vassar combines a fantastic opportunity to pursue my passion of playing basketball and receive a high level Liberal Arts education.
What are you most excited about? I'm most excited about meeting new people and making friends at Vassar, and the start of the basketball season.

Jonah Sens - 6-5 - F - Washington-Lee High School, Arlington, VA
Team Accolades: Advanced to state tournament
Individual Accolades: 15 PPG, 8 RPG, All-county all four years, all district-conference all four years, Arlington Basketball Sportsman of the Year in 2014, Team MVP Junior/Senior year, Team captain senior year, 1171 career points, 3rd all-time scoring leader at Washinton-Lee High School
From Coach Dunne: "Jonah is a talented forward who can play with his back to the basket and on the wing. He is a very capable and versatile scorer. He has a high motor and plays with great toughness. He competes on both ends of the floor and gives us much needed depth at the forward position."
Why Vassar? Combination of good academics and athletics.
What are you most excited about? Being apart of a great program that is improving each year.