Head Coach Bob Rukavina (37^th season) crossed state lines and country borders as the Pitt-Johnstown men's basketball program added nine talented student-athletes in its 2025-26 recruiting class.  This year will feature 20 rostered athletes, one of the largest in Rukavina's tenure, including two from Ireland, and one each from Australia and New Zealand.
 
Adam Barton   Freshman   Forward   Nelson, New Zealand / Nelson College
            Adam Barton joins the Mountain Cats after spending a year at the Hoosac School in New York in 24-25.  The New Zealand native averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds per game during his senior year at Nelson College (HS) before taking a prep year in the United States.  "Big Z" has a lot of experience playing against top talent as he was a member of the New Zealand U18 National Team that won the NZ U18 National championship, as well as a silver medal at the U18 FIBA Asia Cup.  Barton also played two seasons with the Nelson Giants, a semi-professional team in his home country.
            Coach Rukavina on Adam Barton: "Adam brings a unique skill set to the roster.  A "modern-day" forward, his greatest strength is his ability to shoot the ball from deep.  Adam's capability of stretching opposing defenses will be of great advantage while continuing to polish his inside game.  We couldn't be more thrilled to have him with our program and believe his best days of basketball are ahead of him!"
 
Ryan Calo   Freshman   Guard   Cleveland, Ohio / Lutheran West High School
            Before transferring to Lutheran West (OH), Ryan Calo was torching defenses overseas while he lived and grew up in Ireland.  After coming to the United States, Calo averaged 17 ppg., 6.0 rpg., and 4 apg. on 56%/39% shooting splits while earning second-team All-District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio honors.  Following his senior year, Ryan played for the Ireland U20 National Team that saw the Irish place seventh in the FIBA U20 Eurobasket (Division B), the best finish in Ireland's history.  During Eurobasket play, Calo averaged 11.3 ppg., 2.1 rpg, and 1.7 apg., while leading the team in minutes per game at 27.6.
            Coach Rukavina on Ryan Calo: "When we heard about Ryan, he immediately rose to the top of our recruiting efforts with his shot making, scoring ability, and strong ball handling skills.  Capable of playing in a variety of positions, we hope to use Ryan as a "Swiss Army" knife this season.  Between his success in the States and in Ireland, his basketball pedigree speaks for itself.  We are anxious to see him in the Blue and Gold this winter!"
 
Thomas (Jake) Calo   Freshman   Guard   Cleveland, Ohio / Lutheran West High School
            The younger brother and twin of Ryan, Jake Calo, followed the same path as he crossed the big pond and finished his high school career at Lutheran West in Cleveland, Ohio.  A starter for the Longhorns, Calo shot 48.3% from beyond the arc, pacing the team and helping them reach the playoffs.
            Coach Rukavina on Jake Calo: "When I think of toughness, Jake immediately comes to mind.  He shows a great willingness to defend and is always seeking out the challenge of guarding the other team's best player.  Not only does Jake "dig in" on the defensive end, but he is also a marksman from deep.  His hard-nosed defensive mindset will undoubtedly help the team this year!"
 
Marcel Finkley  Freshman   Guard   Austintown, Ohio. / Austintown Fitch High School
            A four-year varsity letterman, Marcel became just the fourth player in Austintown Fitch (OH) High School history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark while also being the only African American in school history to reach that milestone.  Earning recognition in each season of play, Finkley was named All-Conference three times and All-District following both his junior and senior seasons.  After leading his conference in scoring his junior year, Finkley averaged 21.0 points per game in his final season as a Falcon.
            Coach Rukavina on Marcel Finkley: "We saw Marcel in the summer going into his senior year and witnessed a 50-point performance!  Having seen everything we needed to see, Marcel became a top target and someone we wanted to sign early.  Evident by his 50-point scoring explosion, Marcel is a talented offensive player with a desire to compete on the other end as well.  Mountain Cat faithful will surely enjoy watching him play this season!"
 
Nathaniel Moore    Freshman    Guard    Gibsonia, Pa. / Deer Lakes High School
            Coming from a very success program, Nathaniel Moore brings a lot of winning experience as he helped guide the Deer Lakes Lancers to a pair of WPIAL Championships and a PIAA runner-up finish.  A well-recognized athlete throughout his high school career, Moore was a two-time AK Valley News Dispatch First-Team selection and was named to the Roundball Classic and Cager Classic All-Star Teams.  The Roundball Classic Most Valuable Player averaged 20.0 ppg, and 13 rpg. during his senior season and saw him deliver career highs of 35 points and 19 rebounds.
            Coach Rukavina on Moore: "An undersized forward who plays a lot bigger than what he is, Nate has a great feel for playing inside and is a tenacious rebounder.  His winning background will carry over to the team as he knows what it takes to WIN!  We believe he will be someone to reckon with in the PSAC."
 
Fernando Nieves-Font    Freshman    Guard    Winter Garden, Fla. / The First Academy High School
            The son of Pitt-Johnstown Hall of Famer, Josue, Fernando Nieves-Font comes to the Mountains Cats from Winter Haven, Florida.  The First Academy graduate shot 43% from the field in 2024-25 with career highs of 19 points and eight rebounds.  A two-time player of the game, Nieves-Font, earned the 2024 Coach's Award following his junior season.
            Coach Rukavina on Nieves-Font: "The apple didn't fall far from the tree as Fernando carries the same toughness that his father displayed during his playing days.  While more coachable than his father!  Fernando is constantly seeking to learn and grow as a player.  His selflessness and team-first attitude will absolutely help the culture of our program, and we are grateful to have him with us!"
 
Cedric Rault    Freshman    Guard    Berwick, Australia / Berwick College
            Hailing from Australia, Cedric Rault rounds out the international recruits for the Mountain Cats. A three-time high school state champion, Rault also won three Australian National School championships while averaging 16.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 6.3 apg and 4.0 spg.  Representing the Victorian State team three times, Rault went on to play for the Casey Cavaliers semi-pro team in the NBL1 South.
            Coach Rukavina on Rault: "What stands out about Cedric is his passing and playmaking ability.  Having great court vision, it is evident that Cedric takes great pride in making his teammates better.  In addition to his unselfishness, he is excellent in the open floor and playing with pace. A crafty finisher around the basket, with a respectable jump shot, Cedric will be fun to watch this year as he will definitely entertain the crowd with his highlight reel passes!"
 
Daniel (Hank) Roesch   Freshman   Guard   Bloomsburg, Pa. / Central Columbia High School
            PHAC Division 2 All-Star and First Teamer, Hank Roesch averaged 14.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 2.4 apg for his career at Central Columbia High School.  A standout in Central, Pa., Roesch was named to the Preseason All-Lebanon County boys' basketball team before his junior year and capped that season off by earning a spot on the Mid-Penn Keystone Honorable Mention and Third-Team Lebanon County.
            Coach Rukavina on Roesch: "Two things that come to mind when talking about Hank is effort and intensity.  Hank is always present and putting forth 100%.  His work ethic is contagious and is always expressing gratitude.  All of these are intangibles that cannot be taught but help define who he is as a young man."
 
Carter Tumulty   Freshman   Forward   Pittsburgh, Pa. / Moon Area High School
            After playing as a reserve for his first three years of high school, Carter Tumulty emerged onto the scene during his final year of high school and averaged 18.0 ppg while being named First-Team All-Section.  The WPIAL Champion exploded for career highs of 33 points and eight made 3-pointers, establishing himself as one of the best players in Western PA.   Tumulty was also selected to participate in the Roundball Classic.
            Coach Rukavina on Tumulty: "We went to see Carter after one of his high school coaches reached out and told us about his potential.  We immediately noticed Carter's size and athleticism, but were very impressed with his shooting ability.  Standing at 6'7 and possessing a guard skill set, Carter was someone we believed could absolutely help our program and grow into a solid player in the PSAC."
 
Coach Rukavina plans to red-shirt Jake Calo, Moore, Nieves-Font, Roesch, and Tumulty during the 2025-26 season.
 
        Pitt-Johnstown, which will play an exhibition game against Pitt at the Peterson Events Center on Oct. 27, will open the 2025-26 season against Lincoln and Concord (WV) at the Indiana (PA) Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 14 and 15.  Due to a scheduling conflict at the Kovalchick Complex in Indiana, the Mountain Cats will the first round of the IUP Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 22 in the Sports Center, before hosting Point Park on Nov. 25 at noon.