Bronx, N.Y. (October 7, 2014) – With the start of the season just over a month away, the Fordham University Rams took to the court for the first time on Tuesday as head coach Tom Pecora ran his squad through its first official practice of 2014-15.
 
Though last year's leading scorer, Branden Frazier, graduated and moved on to play professionally in Europe, the Rams return the next four leading scorers from 2013-14 and bring in a talented group of freshmen.
 

Sophomore guard Jon Severe, who set a Fordham freshman record last year with 536 points, is the leading returning scorer, averaging 17.3 ppg last year, while junior guard Mandell Thomas averaged 11.9 ppg last year while also leading the team with 45 steals.
 
Junior forward Ryan Rhoomes led the 2013-14 roster with 6.9 rpg while also scoring 6.3 ppg and blocking a team-best 28 shots while senior guard Bryan Smith netted 7.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg last winter. Senior center Ryan Canty, who averaged 3.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg, is not practicing as he is recovering from back surgery.
 
Guard Antwoine Anderson and forward Manny Suarez, both redshirt freshmen, join the squad this year as do five true freshmen, guards Nemanja Zarkovic and Zaire Thompson, along with forwards Eric Paschall, Christian Sengfelder and Dekeba Battee-Aston.

The Rams hold their annual Tip-Off Dinner on Monday, November 3, at the Grand Hyatt hotel with Phil Jackson scheduled to receive the Johnny Bach Award. To purchase tickets, click here.
 
Fordham opens the season by hosting New York Tech on Friday, November 14, at 8:00 p.m. in the Rose Hill Gym. For season and individual tickets, go to the Fordham Athletic Ticket page.