By Greg Matura -Record Sports
RUTHERFORD – Fairleigh Dickinson has added another North Jersey standout to its men’s basketball roster: Marc Dadika of St. Mary.
The versatile, 6-foot-8 senior forward signed his letter of intent Wednesday to play for the Knights, who compete in the Division I Northeast Conference.
“It’s close, I really felt comfortable with the coaching staff, and so I wanted to continue my career there,” said Dadika, whose Saddle Brook home is a 10-minute drive from the Rothman Center in Hackensack. “It felt important to stay close.”
Dadika, 17, can post up inside and also hit the three-pointer, and he averaged 22.2 points and 15.4 rebounds as a junior and earned first-team All-Bergen. He was also recruited by Loyola of Maryland, American and New Hampshire.
“What jumped off the page was obviously his potential,” said FDU coach Greg Herenda, permitted to comment on Dadika because the college received the letter Wednesday and officially registered it. “Marc is 6-8, steps out and shoots it, can score, has great feet around the basket.”
FDU opens its season on Friday against Seton Hall in the NIT Season Tip-Off at the Prudential Center in Newark and lists four North Jersey players on its 14-man roster: senior guard Mike Schroback (Hasbrouck Heights), junior forwards Dondre Rhoden (Ridgefield Park) and Nadi Beciri (Maywood, Bergen Catholic), and sophomore forward Kaleb Bishop (Paterson, St. Anthony).
Dadika can play both forward spots and knows he has to get bigger and stronger – he weighs 215 pounds – to contribute to FDU as a freshman. “If I do that, I want to be able to play,” said Dadika, who has 1,203 career points for St. Mary and is among seven family members to surpass 1,000. “I want to be able to contribute as much as I could.”
“The college game is going to be more physical and it’s going to be faster,” St. Mary coach Brian Gaccione said. “Once he gets adjusted to the speed, his skill set will allow him to play at the next level.”
“The word is overused but it’s very appropriate: potential. He’s 17 years old, and offensively he’s very versatile. He loves the game. He’s got great genes,” said Herenda, entering his fifth season. “We’re trying to build this program from within. And getting local, young, great student-athletes are a premium, and we’re just really, really excited to have Marc sign with us today.”
Special Note: Congratulations from everyone in the NJIC. Best wishes for a wonderful collegiate career !!!
