The Franciscan men's basketball program has added some bounce on the hardwood for next season.

Greater Latrobe’s Ian DeCerb, one of the top players in Westmoreland County who is known for his jumping ability, recently made his commitment to play for the Barons in the fall.

“Off the couple visits and the many conversations that I had with the coaches and the interactions I had in the whole program, it felt like it could be somewhere that could be home to me,” said the future Baron. “They were one of the first schools that ever reached out to me and showed me the most interest out of any school.”

Other schools like Waynesburg, Saint Vincent, Air Force, and the Coast Guard Academy showed interest, but it was ultimately Franciscan that caught DeCerb’s attention.

The Barons had a great season, winning 21 games, which matched the program record for single-season wins.

Despite Franciscan’s success on the court, DeCerb was sold on the program in ways that showed up off the hardwood.

“I went to a bunch of their games, and just seeing how the guys interacted with each other was very similar to how we play at Latrobe,” he added. “The camaraderie and how they seemed like a big brotherhood, I liked that.”

DeCerb feels that his athleticism and size will allow him to stand out next year. He sees himself as someone who can knock down shots, while also being a great defender.

He’s had the luxury of matching up against former teammates like John Wetzel and Alex Tatsch, both of whom now play Division I football. This past season, he had to go against Alex’s younger brother, Andy, who also is a Division I football player committed to Lehigh.

It wasn’t just physical preparation that they helped DeCerb with when it came to navigating the recruiting process.

“I think John really helped with that and was a really good friend to me,” he noted. “Not as much the personal conversations about the recruiting, but seeing him go through that and how he handled that, and seeing the type of leader he was for us was good to see.”

With graduation just weeks away, DeCerb sees his time as a Wildcat coming to an end. However, he still has fond memories wearing the orange and black that he will hold even after he swaps those colors for green and gold.

“Last year, my junior season, with our team success and the run we made in the playoffs, I think that whole season was memorable,” he shared. “To pinpoint on one, the states game we won against Exeter which was also Coach (Brad) Wetzel’s 300th win. That’s a big moment I’ll remember forever.”