SIOUX CITY, IA – A former Wayne High Blue Devil and Morningside Mustang standout has been named as an assistant coach for his collegiate alma mater.
According to a release from Morningside men’s basketball head coach Trent Miller, the addition of Ben Hoskins and Tyler Vavrina will join his coaching staff. The pair of Morningside graduates will both serve as assistant coaches.
Hoskins, a 2020 grad, played in 96 games in his three season career, scoring 452 points. He shot 49.1 percent from the floor with a 43.4 mark from beyond the three-point arc. The Wayne native tallied 248 rebounds, 48 assists, 35 steals and 16 blocks. Hoskins earned a Great Plains Athletic Conference honorable mention nod his senior season.
Prior to joining Morningside University, Hoskins attended Wayne State College. After redshirting in 2015-16, he played in 21 games off the bench averaging 1.5 points and 1.0 rebounds per game.
According to his high school bio from Wayne State Athletics, Hoskins was a four year starter in cross country and track and three years in basketball at Wayne High.
During his senior season, Hoskins scored a school record 523 points and grabbed 278 rebounds, averaging 17.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 78 percent at the foul line.
Vavrina, a 2022 alumnus, played in 67 games in four seasons, totaling 131 points. He was a 48.5 percent shooter with a 49.2 percent make rate from beyond the arc, serving as a go-to when a late bucket was needed.
The Abie native and Aquinas Catholic (David City) HS grad picked up 32 rebounds, 17 assists, nine steals and two blocks in his time on the floor.
The Morningside men’s basketball team finished 24-10 last season including a 14-6 GPAC record. The Mustangs are scheduled to open their 2024-25 season on Friday, November 1 against Coe College (Cedar Rapids, IA) hosted by Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa.
