The Valparaiso University men's basketball program and head coach Roger Powell Jr. have announced the addition of Tucker Tornatta (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz Memorial [University of Indianapolis]), a 6-foot-8 center who joins the program for his sophomore season in 2025-26.
 
"I'm excited for my next step at the Division-I level," Tornatta said. "That was always the dream. The coaching staff, Coach Powell, Coach McClung and Coach Moye, accepted me with open arms. That's what I look for in a coaching staff and that's a place that I want to be. I've been watching the Missouri Valley Conference since I was a little kid going to games at UE. It's an honor and shows that hard work does pay off. No matter where you start, you can always get where you want to be."
 
Tornatta was named to the Great Lakes Valley Conference All-Freshman Team in 2025 after averaging 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Greyhounds. He scored a season-high 19 points on Dec. 16 vs. Grand Valley State and had his rebounding peak with 14 on Nov. 27 vs. Roosevelt. Tornatta boasted four double-figure rebounding games and 10 double-figure scoring outputs.
 
"We looked at Tucker coming out of high school, and he continued to get better his freshman year," Powell said. "He has good size, great feel and versatility. We love his toughness. He's a kid who loves to play basketball. He gives us a versatile big who can do multiple things and be a matchup problem for other teams."
 
Tornatta was named an Indiana All-Star as a senior in high school, becoming the third in Reitz Memorial history. He averaged 16.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.6 steals per game for an 18-win team as a senior. A three-year varsity starter, he totaled 899 points and 692 rebounds in three seasons and was a two-time all-conference choice.
 
"I'm a high-IQ player who loves getting my teammates involved in the offensive scheme," Tornatta said. "I'm also energetic and hard to the ball, whatever my team needs I'm going to do. I want to give the fans a great show. This year, starting for the first time and getting the chance to start as a freshman was a sigh of relief and a sign that I know I'm a good player. If I'm put in the right system with the right coaches, you're going to get the best out of me at practice and on gamedays."
 
Tornatta enjoys playing golf, watching NBA games and swimming in his spare time. He is interested in pursuing a degree in business management.
 
"Coach Powell, Coach McClung and Coach Moye are God-driven men," Tornatta said. "They want what is best for me in my future and they're family people. They enjoy being around me and that is what really brings me happiness and made me want to commit to Valpo. I'm ready to come and impact the team and give the fans a show this year. Let's go win a conference championship."