Head Coach Bob Rukavina and the Pitt-Johnstown men's basketball program have added three recruits for the 2022-23 season, including Rio Grande (OH) University transfer Andrew Shull, Gateway High School standout Will Kromka, and Nick Watts, Long Island's League 2 Most Valuable Player.
              Andrew Shull, a transfer from NAIA Rio Grande (OH) University, emerged onto the college scene by averaging 15.2 ppg along with 3.0 rpg and 3.0 apg as a true freshman during the 2019-20 season.  Shull helped lead the Red Storm to their first NAIA Tournament appearance in 18 years on his way to being the only freshman named to the River States Conference (RSC) All-Conference Team.
            A West Virginia high school product who won two state championships was poised for a third before his senior season was shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  A four-year starter and three-time All-Cardinal Conference choice in high school, Shull amassed 1,369 points.  A proven winner, Shull holds a combined 94-16 career record at Huntington High School and Chapmanville Regional High School.
            "Andrew is a highly skilled point guard with college experience and success" Coach Rukavina said.  "Andrew is able to score the ball on all three levels, as well as make his teammates better with his court vision and passing ability.  We are extremely excited to have Andrew on board and believe he will fit in nicely with our returning lettermen."
            Shull was coached by Ron Hess at Huntington High School, Brad Napier at Chapmanville Regional High School. 
            Shull is majoring in Education at Pitt-Johnstown.
Link to Andrew Shull's Highlight Tape: True Freshman Home Highlights - YouTube
 
              A Second-Team All-WPIAL Class 5A performer, Will Kromka led the Gateway Gators to a berth in the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs his senior year.  The Gators appearance in the PIAA semi-final was their first in school history.  A three-time All-Section player, Kromka's well-rounded averages of 16.0 ppg 7.0 rpg. and 3.0 apg. paved the way to him being named to the Roundball Classic All-Star game.
            A multi-sport athlete, Kromka also earned recognition for his prowess on the volleyball court by being named All-WPIAL and All-Section on a pair of occasions.  His superb performance led Gateway to section title his senior year. 
            Kromka is also a standout off the court as he was the President of his senior class and a member of the National Honor Society.  In addition, Kromka was a member of the Interact Club, AIM Club, and Book Club while also being a member of the Summer swim team. 
            "Will is a highly talented and versatile guard capable of playing and guarding multiple positions," Coach Rukavina said.  "His ability to play on and off the ball will be very beneficial for us this year.  We believe Will's best days are ahead of him and cannot wait to get him onto campus!"
            Kromka was coached by Alvis Rodgers at Gateway High School.
            Kromka plans to major in Mechanical Engineering at Pitt-Johnstown.
            Link to Will Kromka's Highlight Tape: http://www.hudl.com/v/2FEeqC
                        A native of Long Island, NY, Nick Watts was named the Most Valuable Player of League 2 in 2021-22 after leading his Northport Tigers to a third straight appearance in the Suffolk County championship.  Averaging 14.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, and 3.0 bpg, Watts filled up the stat sheet on a nightly basis.  His consistent and dominant play resulted in him being named All-Suffolk County in 2021-22.  Owning a career 30-1 record in the regular season, Watts was named to the All-League 2 squad two times throughout his career. 
            "Nick is exactly the type of forward who thrives in today's game," Coach Rukavina said.  "Having a dynamic skill set, Nick can score with his back to the basket on the low block, while also stretching the floor out to the 3-point line, as he holds the school record for the most threes made in a game with 12.  Nick will undoubtedly continue our streak of having talented "big men" in Johnstown!"
            Watts was coached by Andrew D'Eolia at Northport High School.
            Watts plans to major in Marketing at Pitt-Johnstown.
            Link to Highlight Tape: http://www.hudl.com/v/2H7GEg
           
 
          Pitt-Johnstown will tip-off the 2022-23 season by hosting the Mountain Cat Tip-Off Tournament on November 11-12 to begin a stretch of six straight non-conference games, before beginning PSAC-play with games at Bloomsburg on December 2 and at East Stroudsburg on December 3.