Head Coach Bob Rukavina and the Pitt-Johnstown Men's Basketball program announced their 2024-25 recruiting class featuring four transfer student-athletes and six freshmen to mark the largest signing class in Rukavina's 36-year tenure leading the Mountain Cats.
 
Adam Bilinsky    Sophomore   Guard   Irwin, Pa. / Norwin High School / Mercyhurst University
                A mid-year transfer from Mercyhurst University during the 2023-24 season, Adam Bilinsky averaged 7.6 points per game before coming to Johnstown. The 2023 Westmoreland County Athlete of the Year, Bilinsky led the Knights to three WPIAL playoff berths and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark his senior season.  The two-time captain, Bilinsky averaged 20 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game, while leading Norwin to a 15-8 record during his last year of high school basketball. The three-time all section performer was also named to the Roundball Classic at Geneva College following the 2023 season.
Coach Rukavina on Adam:
                "We recruited Adam pretty heavily in high school and were thrilled to be able to get him following a brief stint in Erie. Adam is a high-flying guard who will bring a lot of excitement to the floor. Having Adam at practice for a semester showed us that he loves the game and will undoubtedly help us this upcoming season."
            Link to Adam Bilinsky's Highlight Tape:  Adam Bilinsky - Hudl
 

Baden Forup   Sophomore  Forward   Mansfield, OH / Lexington High School / Capital (OH) Univ.)
                Baden Forup played his freshman year at Capital University in Columbus, OH where he was a Second-Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection and the OAC/Region VII Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.  A standout for Lexington High School in Mansfield, Ohio, Forup was named 1^st Team All-Conference and All District two times, as well as Special Mention and 3^rd Team All-Ohio after leading the Minutemen to two District finals.
Coach Rukavina on Baden:
                "Baden is an excellent addition to our roster. More of a traditional big man who's very comfortable playing with his back to the basket, Baden is highly efficient when you get him the ball downlow as he shot over 60% his freshman year. He will absolutely give us an inside presence that our program takes great pride in."
            Link to Baden Forup's Highlight Tape:  Baden Forup - Hudl
 

Sean Dillon   Graduate   Guard   Providence, NJ / New Providence High School / Seton Hill Univ.
                Originally from Providence, NJ, Sean Dillon played his first three years at fellow PSAC school Seton Hill University where he was a three-year starting point guard. Nearly reaching the 1000-point milestone, Dillon led the Griffins in assists (250), steals (96), and made 3-point field goals (130) during his time in Greensburg. Bringing a ton of experience, Dillon played in 76 contests across his career and shares the single game assist record with 12. A PSAC Player of the Week, Dillon scored a career high 30 points against the Mountain Cats and has had seven 20+ point games throughout his career. Prior to arriving at SHU, Dillon was a four-year starter at New Providence High School where he was named Second-Team All-State on two occasions. The All-Time leader in assists at his high school, Dillon finished second in the state in assists following the 2019 season and was also a member of New Providence's New Jersey state championship team.
Coach Rukavina on Sean:
                "When we saw that Sean was in the transfer portal, we immediately reached out as we knew what he would bring to our program. Sean is a quick, crafty guard who can fill up the stat sheet. What we love about Sean's game is his willingness to share the ball and make his teammates around him better. I think the thing that will stand out to fans is his competitiveness and desire to win. We are sure glad that he is playing for us and not against us anymore!"
            Link to Sean Dillon's Highlight Tape:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAErx9jZHpY
 

Daric Danchanko  Junior   Forward   Ebensburg, Pa. / Central Cambria High School / St. Francis Univ. (PA)
                An Ebensburg, Pa. native and Central Cambria High School graduate, Daric Danchanko played his first two years at neighboring Division I St. Francis (PA). Danchanko earned a nod to both the All-Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference and All-Cambria County teams following his senior season. A three-year starter and captain, Danchanko averaged 17.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as a senior and 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a junior.
Coach Rukavina on Daric:
                "Daric's experience at the Division I level will allow him to hit the ground running as he already has a good understanding of college basketball and what it takes to succeed. Daric is a low post forward who has been working on expanding his game this summer. We are looking forward to seeing his development once the semester begins."
            Link to Daric Danchanko's Highlight Tape:  Daric Danchanko - Hudl
 

Jay Rose    Freshman    Guard    Berea, KY / Madison Southern High School
                Jay Rose joins the Mountain Cats as an incoming freshman from Berea, KY. A three-time All-State selection throughout his high school career, Rose averaged 24 ppg, 9 rpg, and 3 assists per game his senior season on his way to becoming the school's all-time leading scorer (2500) and rebounder (800). A two-time District 44/11^th Region champion, Rose was also named a Junior All Star following the 22-23 season.
Coach Rukavina on Jay:
                "Jay is a highly talented and skilled player who is capable of playing multiple positions due to his versatility. When we learned about Jay, the first thing that stuck out to us was his unselfishness and ability to make his teammates better. We could not be more excited to have Jay be part of our program and are anxious to see his growth throughout the year!"
            Link to Jay Rose's Highlight Tape:  https://www.hudl.com/profile/13922767/Jay-Rose
 

Noah Prosser    Freshman    Guard    Jefferson Hills, Pa. / Thomas Jefferson High School
                A three-year starter in high school, Noah Prosser led the Jaguars to an undefeated section championship his senior year and a run in the WPIAL playoffs.  Averaging 15.0 points and 4.0 assists, Prosser scored 847 points in three years as a varsity player while being named All-Section two times. The senior captain also earned an invitation to participate in the annual Roundball Classic All-Star Game to cap off his high school career.
Coach Rukavina on Noah:
                "Noah is a combo guard who can play on and off the ball. An excellent shooter with a quick release, we watched Noah perform in the WPIAL playoffs and came away highly impressed. Being a "gym rat," I think Noah will continue to improve and help us in the years to come."
          Link to Noah Prosser's Highlight Tape:  Noah Prosser - Hudl
 

Tanner Barkley    Freshman    Guard    Windber, Pa. / Windber High School
                Local recruit from Windber, Pa., Tanner Barkley was an All-Conference and All-Somerset County performer his senior year.  Barkley, who served as team captain, led the Ramblers all the way to the District 5 championship game by averaging 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5 assists per game during the 2023-24 season.  Barkley's on-court performance was recognized by opposing coaches as he was selected to participate in the District 5 All-Star Game.
Coach Rukavina on Tanner:
                "The first thing you notice about Tanner's game is his high IQ and knowing how to play. His ability to make the right decision stood out to us and is something we value here at UPJ. Not only is Tanner a good basketball player, but an even better and brighter kid who will be a great addition to our University as a whole."
          Link to Tanner Barkley's Highlight Tape:  Tanner Barkley - Hudl
 

Keegan Smetanka   Freshman   Guard   Pittsburgh, Pa. / Shaler High School
                Keegan Smetanka, a Pittsburgh native, concluded his high school career with 900 points and multiple trips to the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs.  A First-Team All-Conference performer in 2023-24, Smetanka averaged 15.0 points per game and powered the Titans to a section championship. The three-year starter served as team captain his senior season before ending the year as a member of the Gold Team in the 2024 Roundball Classic All-Star Game.
Coach Rukavina on Keegan:
                "We went to see Keegan in the PIAA playoffs and within the first few minutes he came down with an injury. To our surprise, he returned on a fractured ankle and finished the game. He played again in the next round and really showed great toughness. Seeing that, we knew we wanted him on our team as he is as hard-nosed and resilient as they come."
          Link to Keegan Smetanka's Highlight Tape:  Keegan Smetanka - Hudl
 

Nate Sprajcar   Freshman   Guard/Forward   Pittsburgh, Pa. / Riverview High School
                Owning the single game scoring record with 45 points, Nate Sprajcar concluded his senior season averaging 22.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.  During his time at Riverview, Sprajcar was a three-year starter and two-time team captain for the Raiders.  After being named First-Team All-Section, Sprajcar followed that up with being honored as an all-star for the Roundball Classic and Cager Classic All-Star Games.
Coach Rukavina on Nate:
                "I think Nate will be a great fit on and off the court for UPJ. He is a dedicated student-athlete who loves the game and will certainly represent my hometown and alma mater well!"
          Link to Nate Sprajcar's Highlight Tape:  Nathan Sprajcar - Hudl
 

Craig Jarvis   Freshman   Guard   Berlin, Pa. / Berlin Brothersvalley High School
                A two-time PIAA Class A First-Team selection, Craig Jarvis led the Pioneers to a Pennsylvania State Finals appearance after averaging 21.4 points per game his senior year.  Craig, a winner by nature, won four District 5 championships and played in three PIAA Class A Championship games before wrapping up his career with 1,700 points.
Coach Rukavina on Craig:
                "Craig experienced a heck of a lot of success during his high school playing days which we believe will carry over to the college level. Craig is strong shooter who is capable of knocking down the 3 or mid-range jump shot. We believe that Craig's best days of basketball are ahead of him and will fit in nicely with our system."
          Link to Craig Jarvis' Highlight Tape:  Craig Jarvis - Hudl
 

                Pitt-Johnstown will open the 2024-25 season against Virginia Union and Shaw (NC) at the Slippery Rock Classic on Nov. 8 and 9, before tipping off the home slate in the Sports Center against Penn State-Greater Allegheny on Nov. 13 and South Carolina-Beaufort on Nov. 16.