University of Massachusets Athletics
Lappas Announces Two Signings
November 12, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts men's basketball coach Steve Lappas announced today that two student athletes have signed national letters of intent to attend UMass and play for the Minutemen. Forward Olivier Lamoureux (Montreal, Quebec) and center Jeff Salovski (Bristol, Conn.) will both join the UMass program in the fall of 2004.
Lamoureux currently attends Champlain Saint Lambert School in Montreal, where he plays for coach John Dangelas. The 6-9, 215-pound forward averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game during the 2002-2003 season, while shooting 58 percent from the floor. He was named to the Quebec Provincial Team, and was rated the best big man prospect in Quebec. In two games so far this season, Lamoureux has averaged 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Salovski currently attends Bristol Central High School, where he plays for coach Pete Winninger. The 6-11, 325 pound center averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds during the 2002-2003 season, while leading his team to a 26-2 overall record and a Class LL state semifinal appearance. He was also named first team all-state by the Hartford Courant, the New Haven Register and the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.
UMass will now have three new players joining the program next fall. Along with Lamoureux and Salovski, the Minutemen will add forward Lawrence Carrier (San Bernardino, Calif.), who is attending UMass this year but not playing basketball.
"We are very pleased to have both Olivier Lamoureux and Jeff Salovski commit to our program," said Lappas. "We feel they will fill a need we have for height and strength along the front line. Along with Lawrence Carrier, we expect them to provide a real boost for our team next season."
The Minutemen, who are coming off an 11-18 season, will face Playaz in an exhibition game this Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mullins Center. UMass will then open play in the Preseason NIT with a home game against Saint Francis (N.Y.) next Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7:00 p.m.
