Second Commitment For New Head Coach

Bret Loscalzo, a crafty 5-foot-11, 170-pound point guard from The Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut, has verbally committed to Columbia.

Loscalzo pledged with new coach Joe Jones' program after visiting the school's Morningside Heights campus last weekend.

"I love the coaching staff," said Loscalzo. "That was really important. With the new coaching staff I feel like we can turn everything around."

Loscalzo, who caught the eye of many mid-major coaches with his play at the Las Vegas Big Time Tournament with the Westchester Hawks, chose Columbia over offers from Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, New Hampshire, and The Citadel, as well as interest from Lehigh, Lafayette, Penn, Yale, and Bucknell.

What grabs you most about Loscalzo is his innate feel for the game. He's a pure point guard who can find a teammate with that pinpoint pass, or loft a toss just over the out-stretched arms of a defender. Loscalzo isn't blazingly quick, but he handles well and can knock down the jumper consistently, even with hands in his face. He possesses good toughness, and moves his feet well defensively

The one thing that will need work for college play is the physical aspect. While toughness isn't a qusetion, the lithe Loscalzo will need to get stronger to match up with more muscular opponents.

Loscalzo competed at the Las Vegas Big Time Tournament, AAU Nationals, Charlie Weber Tourney, and the Long Island Hoop Fest during July with the Westchester Hawks, coached by Phil Diasparra. Loscalzo was one player who was instrumental in keeping the Hawks afloat against a loaded Atlanta Celtics team in Vegas, one performance that helped solidify his reputation and gain acclaim.

Loscalzo is the second commitment for Columbia out of the 2004 class. Previously, 6-foot-8, 253-pound big forward Ben Nwachakwu from St. Augustine Prep in Richland, New Jersey, committed to play for the rising Ivy League program. With a physical post presence and an intelligent and gifted point guard, Jones and his staff's first recruiting class is looking like it will be an impressive group.