The team released power forwards Jonny Ocasio and James Siakam, forward T.J. Hall and Canadian point guard Mike Wright Tuesday afternoon.
The team released power forwards Jonny Ocasio and James Siakam, forward T.J. Hall and Canadian point guard Mike Wright Tuesday afternoon.
Head coach and vice-president of player personnel Joe Salerno said the staff went back and thought about each player multiple times before making its final decision.
“I was very pleased with the depth of the camp,” he said. “I believe every guy so far that’s been in our training camp actually can play in the NBL Canada in some role or another.”
The cuts leave the Storm with 18 guys fighting for 12 roster spots. The team has four Canadians in camp and needs to dress four when opening night arrives on Boxing Day.
Salerno said there is a possibility another Canadian will be added to camp before the team finalizes its roster.
The Storm will play its first intrasquad game tonight at 7 p.m. at Montague Regional High School.
“We expect it to be a highly contested, intense game,” Salerno said.
He said the game would provide the players an opportunity to show the coaching staff they have learned the systems the team has been working to implement.
Power forward Tirrell Baines sustained an upper leg contusion Monday and is not expected to play tonight. Some other veterans may see reduced minutes as well.
“We certainly still want to look at the guys that are new,” Salerno said. “We want to make sure they have an opportunity to play an awful lot. So guys like (Nick) Okorie and Terry Thomas they may not see as much time as they normally would.”
Another round of cuts is expected Thursday.