Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics

With five graduating seniors heading out the door, playing time is there for the taking on the MacEwan Griffins men's basketball team next season.

So far, two new recruits, announced by head coach Eric Magdanz on Tuesday, are jumping at the opportunity.

Wing Lincoln Anderson and forward Ben Niles will join a Griffins team next season that is looking to replace the losses of graduating seniors Denzel James, Keith Gerdes, Tyler Wise, Thomas Jereniuk and Cole Aikens.

Anderson, who is the fiancée of MacEwan women's basketball player Juhee Thompson, is coming in mature and ready for action after taking two years off to go on his Mormon mission and another to rehab a knee injury.

"He's obviously a little bit of an older guy for a first-year athlete, so he'll give us a bit of maturity in that sense," said Magdanz of the Cardston, AB product.

At 6-foot-3, Anderson also can leap through the roof.

"He's a super athlete with about a 40-inch vertical," said Magdanz. "He's going to be able to come in and be pretty explosive right off the bat."

And it doesn't hurt that he plays the game a lot like Thompson, whose intense defensive style led to success at the Canada West level this past season.

"He has a pretty similar game, actually – plays with a lot of energy, lot of passion," said Magdanz. "As much energy as he brings to the defensive side, he has the ability to get out and run in transition offensively and really attack the basket using his athleticism."

Niles is from Kamloops, B.C., where he is currently finishing up his senior season with Valleyview Secondary. Moving to Edmonton won't be a foreign concept for him as his mother grew up here.

"In a lot of ways, he's coming home," said Magdanz. "He's coming straight out of high school. He's another really solid athlete. It's just going to take a little bit of time for him to adapt and grow into his body, get used to the physicality of Canada West play. But we think he can be a great long-term prospect for us who will continue to develop throughout his career."

Niles is 6-foot-8, so naturally he has the potential to be a force inside.

"He's a pretty good rebounder, but he hasn't just been stuck inside his whole career," said Magdanz. "He has a great outside touch and has good ball handling skills, can shoot the three. He just has to figure out how that will all translate to the next level."

The Griffins will also be looking for the next big recruit, holding an ID camp on Sunday, March 26 (1 to 4 p.m., City Centre Campus gym). High school athletes who are at least in Grade 10 are encouraged to register for the skills and team play evaluation session, which will also include information on university entrance requirements.

The cost is $20 an athlete. Registration can be made the day of the camp or in advance through the MacEwan Sport and Wellness access desk (780-497-5300).

"We're in a period of change here where MacEwan's become a desirable place and a destination for athletes," said Magdanz of his growing program. 

"So we're looking for athletes who are willing to commit to becoming great students and great athletes, and show they're willing to commit and work hard."