Monday, November 17, 2008

Christian Salecich Signs to Play for Billikens

 St. Louis - Saint Louis University head men's basketball coach Rick Majerus today announced that 6-foot-4 guard Christian Salecich (Gold Coast, Australia/Institute of Sport) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play basketball for the Billikens. Salecich will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.

"Christian is truly Aussie-tough," Majerus said. "Like all `Boomers', he has a passion and a competitive streak to rival that of Australians like (former Utah and current NBA player) Andrew Bogut, who I was fortunate to coach, and (former NBA and Australian pro) Shane Heal. Christian has played on three continents against men. Every coach and every competitor talks first and foremost about his toughness and passion. He is coming 6,000 miles from home to play basketball. That should give our fans some indication about his love of the game."

"Like Jon Smith and Cory Remekun, Christian is a sensational student," Majerus said. "This is an honor roll class in the academic arena as well as the basketball arena. But in the area that matters the most, all of these young men have exceptional families who visited with them and got to meet and see for themselves first hand the best part of Saint Louis University - the faculty, education and the current players on the team. Christian, Cory and Jon were player favorites on their recruiting visits. Our current class really felt that their attitude and commitment to the game coincided with theirs."

Salecich is the top-ranked off guard in the 2009 class in Australia. He played the last two seasons for the Australian Institute of Sport, the elite prep school in Canberra, Australia, which has produced more than 20 Division I players, including Andrew Bogut who played at Utah under Majerus.

"Christian's Junior National Coach, Marty Clarke, is a teacher extraordinaire, therefore, Christian has a real command of the fundamentals," Majerus said.

Last season, Salecich averaged 12 points per game while shooting 43 percent from 3-point range and 89 percent from the free-throw line. Christian helped A.I.S. advance to the 2008 Southeast Australian Basketball League finals. Salecich is a member of the Junior Australian National team which will compete at the 2009 U-19 World Championships. He won the silver medal with Team Australia at the 2007 Junior Oceania Tournament, and he participated in the 2007 Adidas Nations Camp in New Orleans, when he played against current Billiken Ruben Cotto, and each remembered the other for his tenacity. Salecich scored 15 points and had four assists and helped Australia win the bronze medal game at the 2008 Albert Schweitzer Tournament with a victory over the USA. Salecich is an athletic guard who possesses deep 3-point range, and he is considered a premier defender. Last season, Salecich averaged 12 points per game while shooting 43 percent from 3-point range and 89 percent from the free-throw line. Christian helped A.I.S. advance to the 2008 Southeast Australian Basketball League finals. Salecich is a member of the Junior Australian National team which will compete at the 2009 U-19 World Championships. He won the silver medal with Team Australia at the 2007 Junior Oceania Tournament, and he participated in the 2007 Adidas Nations Camp in New Orleans, when he played against current Billiken Ruben Cotto, and each remembered the other for his tenacity. Salecich scored 15 points and had four assists and helped Australia win the bronze medal game at the 2008 Albert Schweitzer Tournament with a victory over the USA. Salecich is an athletic guard who possesses deep 3-point range, and he is considered a premier defender.

 
 

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