NEW YORK – After an exciting 2008-09 season, Columbia is looking ahead to the 2009-10 season, when five newcomers will join an already talented roster.

"We are extremely excited about the incoming first-year class," said head coach Joe Jones. "I think that we have assembled a group with great talent and versatility as we continue our drive to be a championship program here at Columbia. 

"Most importantly, I think we did a great job getting kids from winning programs.  We try to evaluate a prospective player’s commitment and willingness to be coached, and our incoming class is representative of some outstanding high school basketball programs from around the country."

Mark Cisco was named the Morris County (N.J.) Player of the Year in March after averaging 18.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior.  He totaled more than 1,000 points during his career and was selected to the New Jersey North-South all-star game.

"Mark comes to us from West Morris Mendham High School where he was coached by the legendary Jim Baglin," said Jones. "Mark is a 6-8 center who enjoys contact and finishes well around the rim.  He has excellent footwork and a great work ethic.  He has a chance to continue in the tradition of All-Ivy League post players that we have developed in our six years here."

Brian Barbour was a first team All-Northern California player whose high school team posted a 28-4 record in 2008-09, the best in school history.  Barbour averaged 19.7 points per game as a senior and was also a first team All-East Bay League member.
 
"Brian led Monte Vista High School to the finals of the Northern California State Championships this past year under the leadership of coach Bill Powers," said Jones.  "Brian is a combo guard who can score and direct a team as well.  I love his toughness and his competitive nature.  When he came on his visit, the older guys really liked him because he fits right in with our team culture."

John Daniels played for a powerhouse high school in Iowa, where he averaged 13.5 points per game as a senior in 2007-08.  He comes to Columbia following a postgraduate year, where he played for another strong program.

"John has had the benefit of playing for coach Tom Betz at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City, Iowa, one of the best programs in the state," Jones said.  "In addition, he attended the New Hampton School in the powerful New England Prep School Class A division where he was coached by Pete Hutchins.  John is a versatile 6-7 inside/outside forward with terrific toughness and work ethic.  His postgraduate year has allowed him to develop his body and expand his perimeter game for the college level."

Dean Kowalski played for one of the top high school teams in the country, helping lead his team to a 30-3 record in his senior year, when he started all 33 games. A smart, defensive stopper, Kowalski averaged five assists per game as a senior.
 
"Dean comes from another of the nation’s best programs, St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth, New Jersey where he played for Kevin Boyle," said Jones.  "Dean is a gym rat who loves to play the game and he has worked extremely hard on his game.  St. Patrick’s has had a lot of success and Dean has been right in the middle of it."

Sandeep Dhaliwal comes to Columbia as an All-Nassau County player and ranked among the tops in the county in three pointers made.  He averaged 16 points per game as a junior.

"Sandeep is a guard from Farmingdale High School on Long Island where he played for James Pastier," said Jones.  "Sandeep is an excellent shooter and has the kind of character that we look for in our program."

In addition to the five newcomers, Columbia will have 13 players returning from a team that finished fourth in the Ivy League in 2008-09.
 
Jones concluded by saying, "on the heels of graduation, where we said our final goodbyes to the class of Joe Bova, K.J. Matsui, Jason Miller and Dan Trepanier, we are happy to welcome this class of newcomers that will continue on the tradition that those guys helped build."