DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Coming off of a program-record 30-win season and a trip to the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship quarterfinals, Trinity International has announced the first two additions to the 2017 recruiting class. TIU head coach Boomer Roberts and his staff have inked signatures from Waubonsee CC standout Tyrone Carey, and Saddleback Valley Christian HS (Calif.) product Trey Mena.

Carey, a 6-2 guard from Aurora, Ill., will join the Trojans as a junior on the floor in 2017-18. The physical wing will bring experience to the team, as he led Waubonsee CC to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament this past season. Starring for the Chiefs, Carey was named 2017 NJCAA Region IV Most Valuable Player, averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for the 26-win Waubonsee squad, including a season of high of 38 points against Kishwaukee CC. In the region championship game against a loaded Triton CC squad ranked fourth in the nation, Carey came through with 15 points, 13 boards, and 5 assists in an overtime victory.

"We have some big holes to fill on the wing with our graduating seniors, and we took a major step in the right direction with the addition of Tyrone Carey," Roberts said. "We love Tyrone's leadership capabilities, and he has a strong desire to raise the level of the guys around him. Tyrone wants to be coached and he is hungry to tap into his full potential as a player and leader. He is a gifted playmaker on both ends of the floor, because he can guard multiple positions and score it from all three levels. Tyrone is a very good shooter, and when you combine that with his strength, IQ, and ability to get to the paint and the free-throw line, you have a guy who is a dynamic threat every time he steps on the court. More importantly, we feel like Tyrone, his wife Ashante', and their daughter Alani will flourish at Trinity. We are excited to have them in the TIU Basketball family."

Carey reciprocated Roberts' excitement, saying "I chose Trinity for many reasons, but the main reason was the coaching staff. They are genuine guys who want nothing but the best for their players on and off the court."

Joining Carey on the wing next season will be incoming freshman Trey Mena, a 6-4 combo guard from Newport Beach, Calif. Mena was a two-time captain who helped Saddleback Valley Christian HS to their sixth straight league title in 2016-17. Coached by Tom Lewis, Mena led the Warriors to a No. 8 ranking in Orange County and a 24-4 record as a senior. Mena, who brings an all-around game to the Trojans perimeter, posted averages of ten points, five rebounds, and three assists. Mena also had a strong spring and summer while playing for Earl Watson Elite on the AAU circuit.

"Trey Mena is a great fit at TIU, in every aspect of our community," Roberts said. "Trey has a strong relationship with the Lord, comes from a big-time family, and is an excellent student, which we feel will translate to a great stage of leadership on campus in the near future. On the court, Trey is long and versatile, and his shooting ability will give our team another perimeter threat for the next four years. Trey is a gym rat with a terrific work ethic, which will bode well for him as he gets stronger and better each day. And I love the fact that Trey has been coached by some of the best coaches in Southern California, both at SVC and Earl Watson Elite."

"I chose TIU because of the family environment and the location," said Mena after signing with the Trojans. "As soon as I stepped on campus on my visit, I immediately felt the sense of community and family, not only within the basketball program, but also the entire school. I love that Trinity is close to Chicago, and getting to come to a new place will be an awesome fresh start for me."

The Trojans, who finished the season ranked No. 7 in the final NAIA Division II Coaches' Poll, must replace six seniors off last year's squad. However, the Trojans also return some key pieces, including sophomores Jeremy and Greg Carlyle and freshman T.J. Johnson, who were major pieces of the TIU rotation a year ago.

"Over the past three years, we recognize that God has brought the right guys, at the right time, to our program, and we've been able to perform at a level that has led to national recognition," Roberts stated. "But we are hungry to sustain excellence, and feel like we still have more steps to take forward as a program. Adding Tyrone and Trey certainly helps, and we hope to continue to add guys who are about what we're about at Trinity."