Canisius College men’s basketball coach Tom Parrotta announced today that David Santiago (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) has officially committed to become a member of the Golden Griffins’ men’s basketball program. As a transfer from American University in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Santiago must sit out the 2010-11 season in accordance with NCAA transfer regulations. He will have three years of eligibility remaining starting in the 2011-12 campaign.

Santiago is a 6-foot-4, 180 pound shooting guard. He averaged 14 points, five rebounds and two assists per game last season in games against other member schools of the Inter University Athletic League of Puerto Rico.

“We are thrilled to have David join our program,” Parrotta said. “He is very athletic and he can really shoot the ball. What we really like is that he understands the game and he will have this year to get bigger and stronger. I feel that he will contribute greatly to our team when he is eligible to play.”

Canisius, which returns four starters, eight letterwinners and 70.3 percent of its scoring from a season ago, will open the 2010-11 schedule Friday, Nov. 12, when the team hosts long-time rival St. Bonaventure in the backend of a basketball doubleheader in the Koessler Athletic Center. Group tickets for that date, as well as season tickets for both the men’s and women’s combined home schedule are on sale now by calling the ticket office at (716) 888-2885, or by clicking here.