The UBCO Heat men's basketball team will have an influx of local talent from the Okanagan next season with the addition of three high school stars from Vernon.
Forwards Dom Zaino and Tylen Lewis, along with guard Mason Clerke, will join head coach Clay Pottinger's roster for 2026-27 as the Heat bench boss continues to add to a young core of talent.
"We are beyond ecstatic for the signing of this trio," said Heat head coach Clay Pottinger. "We've had the privilege of coaching them through our Jr. Heat program and we believe they are among the best young talent in the province."
Zaino, a 6-8 forward from Vernon SS, is coming off an outstanding season in which he was named the AAA Valley MVP as well as the defensive player of the tournament at the provincial championships. In his senior year, the incoming Bachelor of Arts student averaged 22.8 points, 13.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game.
Joining Zaino will be a pair of Kalamalka SS athletes in Lewis and Clerke.
Lewis, a 6-6 forward, is the younger brother of current Heat women's basketball player Sydney Lewis. He joins UBCO after helping Kalamalka to a bronze medal at the provincial championship and enjoyed an outstanding senior year in which he was named a first-team all-star. He will study in the Bachelor of Sustainability program.
Clerke, a 6-5 guard who will study in the Bachelor of Commerce program, also helped lead Kalamalka to the bronze medal at provincials and while being named a second-team all-star.
"As good as they are at basketball, they are even better as humans," continued Pottinger. "These are hardworking, contentious young men with strong character. I am confident they will help build the team and the culture we are building."
With the additions of Zaino, Lewis and Clerke, as well as more additions on the way, Pottinger is confident in the direction the Heat are moving as they look to improve their standing in the Canada West conference.
"In addition to these three recruits, we've made some other key additions as well that will change the trajectory of our program," added Pottinger. "This is phase two of the rebuild after our massive COVID bubble graduation in 2025."
The 2026-27 season schedule for UBCO will be released later this summer.
