SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Head coach Herb Sendek made his first additions to the 2016-17 Santa Clara men's basketball roster with the signings of Akil Douglas and Julian Roche.
Douglas, a 6-foot-10 guard/forward, will have two years of eligibility remaining after playing the last two at San Jose City College. Roche, a 6-foot-10 center who played at Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire, will be a true freshman in the fall.
"We are thrilled to add Akil and Julian to our team," Sendek said. "They each are gifted with size and have developed an outstanding skill set."
Douglas blossomed as a sophomore with the Jaguars, averaging 18.1 points per game, which ranked second in the Coast Conference (South) of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). He was also third in rebounding (8.2 pg) en route to earning first-team all-conference honors.
Douglas, who played at Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose, also averaged 2.1 blocks while shooting 49.3 percent from the floor, including 40 percent beyond the 3-point line, and 82 percent from the free-throw line.
A three-year starter, Roche missed part of his senior season at Proctor after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during 2014-15, though played through the injury. The native of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, returned to action in December and averaged eight points, 12 rebounds, 2.1 blockers and three assists per game. He went on to earn first team all-star honors at the NEPSAC St. Andrews Tournament.
One year earlier, despite playing with a knee injury he averaged a double-double (14 points/14 rebounds) and went on to earn the coaches award for the team. While he was rehabbing from the knee injury last fall he lost 35 pounds and is now approximately 240.
Roche, who was also a member of the Proctor football team as a freshman, played for the DC Blue Devils (New Hampshire) and averaged 14 points and 17 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the floor for the AAU program.
"Their versatility will help create exciting possibilities and allow them to fit perfectly into our system," Sendek said. "Ultimately, Akil and Julian will be great ambassadors for our program and Santa Clara University."
In addition to these signings, guard Brendyn Taylor and forward Bryson Lockley will not return to the team next year.
Taylor played in 24 games during his junior season, averaging 3.5 points with one start.
Lockley served a redshirt season as a true freshman.
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