SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Former Slippery Rock University men's basketball player
Jamal Gatali was recently selected fifth overall by the Moncton Miracles in the first round of the 2016 National Basketball League Of Canada draft, becoming the latest former Rock student-athlete to continue his athletic career professionally.
The NBL, which was founded in 2011, is made up of 10 teams in two divisions throughout Canada. The league's season consists of a 40-game regular season schedule running from December to April followed by playoff competition.
The Miracles, which are located in Moncton, New Brunswick, are coached by Paul Mokeski; a former assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats who spent 12 seasons as a player in the NBA.
Gatali came to Slippery Rock prior to the 2014-15 season after two standout seasons at Marshalltown Community College. Gatali made an instant impact at SRU and finished his career starting 52 of his 54 games played for the Green and White.
The Toronto, Ontario native was a mainstay on the floor for SRU, averaging 28 minutes played per game over his two-year stay at The Rock. In addition to being a gifted defender, Gatali recorded per game averages of 5.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.
Slippery Rock had a 33-21 (.611) record in games that Gatali appeared in over his career. As a junior, he started 32 of 33 contests for SRU's 2014-15 team that went 21-11 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Gatali, who earned his bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock in interdisciplinary studies, is the 16th Rock player to sign a professional contract since 2009.
Slippery Rock will begin its 2016-17 season with exhibition contests Nov. 3 at the University of Tennessee and Nov. 5 at Central Michigan University.
SRU Basketball Pro Signees Since 2009
(Country of professional league in parenthesis)
Denell Stephens (Luxembourg)
Kyle Camper (Germany)
Devin Taylor (Luxembourg/ Latvia)
Michael Evans, Jr. (Canada)
Darious Clark (Luxembourg/ Saudi Arabia/ Mexico)
Erroll Robinson (USA)
Jabril Bailey (Thailand/ Mexico)
Luiz Santos (Brazil)
Joe Vines (Taiwan)
Cecil Brown (USA)
Gerald Brooks (Argentina)
Maurice Lewis-Briggs (Luxembourg/ Georgia)
Cornelius Brown (Luxembourg)
Antonio Butler (Luxembourg)
Tabari Perry (Japan/ Cyprus/ Ireland/ Germany)
Jamal Gatali (Canada)
