Valparaiso men’s basketball head coach Homer Drew announced today that Kevin Van Wijk, a 6’8”, 230 lb. forward from the Netherlands, has joined the Crusader squad effective immediately.  Van Wijk will have three seasons of eligibility for the Crusaders beginning with the 2010-2011 season.

“We are thrilled to have Kevin join our men’s basketball team,” said Drew.  “He plays quite similar to Cory Johnson in that he is very active around the basket and is a very aggressive player.  We are looking forward to working with him.”

Van Wijk most recently spent a year in the Post Graduate program at the Canarias Basketball Academy in the Canary Islands, and also brings experience in national and continental competition.  He led all players at the 2007 Spanish Junior Championships with 13 rebounds per game and was a member of the All-Tournament team playing for Gran Canaria.  He also led the Netherlands at the 2005 U16 European Championships, averaging 15.6 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.

“It feels really good to be here in Valpo as a member of the men’s basketball team,” said Van Wijk.  “I talked a lot with [associate head coach] Bryce Drew before deciding to come here, and he was just really interested in me and what I was doing the last couple years.  The size of the school was important to me too, because I wanted a smaller school.  Then, talking with Coach [Homer] Drew, I just really felt right at home, and all the coaches and teammates have really made me feel welcomed since I arrived.”

Van Wijk is the second newcomer for the Crusaders’ 2010-2011 season, joining freshman guard Jay Harris.  Both Harris and Van Wijk will be joining the Valpo returnees on the preseason foreign tour to Cancun August 8-13.