6'11" Euro Center Thomas van der Mars is a Pilot!

Well our mystery has been solved!

WELCOME THOMAS VAN DER MARS!

Thomas van der Mars has committed & signed with UP; expect a formal announcement from the Athletic Dept. later today! van der Mars, from Holland, is listed at 6'11", 231 lbs... so yeah he's big and seems like a great addition for the 5 spot. Rumor is the coaches are quite pleased with this get!



Additional youtube video here.

Canarias Basketball Academy profile: LINK.

I am sure there is a lot more information out there... sleuth away!

He is listed as being born in 1990. How many years of eligibility does he have?

blacksheep wrote:He is listed as being born in 1990. How many years of eligibility does he have?

That makes him 21. He has four years. The age penalty doesn't kick in until 23.

Looks like he has a solid base for a post game, and already has the rebounding/shot blocking characteristics you'd want in a 5. Looks like he's a guy who can come right in and spell Barker as needed already! I look forward to Rev having a true big prospect to work with, along with the athleticism we're already getting in this class.

blacksheep wrote:He is listed as being born in 1990. How many years of eligibility does he have?

3 or 4 years (yet to be cleared up), from what I hear. Let's hope for 4!

If it is 3 years, then there is an issue with Canarias being a high school equivalent, which I think is the whole design of the academy.

Other grads currently in the NCAA are considered 4 year, from what I gather.

Nice get! Can't wait to see what this guy can do.

I cannot wait to see this guy in purple and white! Coach Reveno has a lot of big men that he can develop now.

Nicely done.

Sounds like someone who will help solidify the frontcourt and that Coach Reveno can eventually build around. Congrats.

http://portlandpilots.com/news/2011/5/10/MBB_0510113910.aspx?path=mbball

I saw the news on Facebook today. Rev knows how to 'git her done.' I guess wrv posted the link as well. Hopefully the experience of our guards will lead to less turnovers because we've now got 2 great swing men and a center coming in. It would be great if the swingmen also focused on entry passes a bit with their length and a big man in the center. Our program definitely is continuing to move on the upward swing...

It's interesting to look at this group of recruits. I can imagine any one of them as a starter in their sophomore year...and Kevin Bailey and the center will probably get to start or play a lot of minutes right away...

http://rise.espn.go.com/boys-basketball/articles/2011/05/11-CA-All-State-Overall-Teams.aspx
Cason 3rd team, no mention of Bailey?

Well, Bailey didn't carry his team to the state championship game like Cason, Dorian pretty much willed his way on to that list. Hahaha, if Kevin takes that as a snub and comes into off season workouts with a chip on his shoulder I'm ALL for it. This class fills every potential need giving depth at the post, athleticism at the 3 and more outside shooting. This year is gonna be a an all new brand of Pilot basketball thats for damn sure. It should be an exciting 4 years with these kids.

Bailey did get a mention in Maxprep's list

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/31XTAGVpEeCkhgAcxJSkrA/maxpreps-california-boys-basketball-all-state-team.htm