The Saluki men’s basketball team will hold a walk-on tryout at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at SIU Arena. 

Graduate assistant coach Justin Walker will be in charge of the tryout. He said the Saluki coaches are seeking for more than just physical prowess.

“First of all, we’re looking for kids who are good students,” Walker said. “You’ve got to be a good student in the classroom. We don’t want to bring in any bad attitudes or trouble, etc., into our program. We’re looking for players who are going to work hard every day and be good students of the game.”

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Walker said a good showing at the tryout is not enough on its own for a student to earn a spot on the team. 

“We’ll have to make sure that players area academically eligible,” Walker said. “It’ll be a process, but if we’re interested in a kid, as a coaching staff, we’ll move forward.”

Five players from last season’s roster transferred from SIU and senior guard Dawson Verhines graduated, leaving several spots to fill. Two freshmen and four junior college transfer juniors replaced them.

Walker was unsure how many more spots on the team are available.

Prospective student-athletes must complete an application to practice, an athletic physical, an insurance form and a waiver in advance of the tryout.

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @tdonleyDE.