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The leading scorer in the PSAC is Cheyney's Sharif Bray with a 25-point average.

If the name sounds familiar to California University basketball fans, it should.

Bray played two seasons for the Vulcans where he was the PSAC West Rookie of the Year in 2004 and averaged 12 points both campaigns.

After his sophomore campaign, however, he left California to return to his hometown of Philadelphia.

"He had some personal issues," recalled California coach Bill Brown. "His dad had a stroke which impacted him a lot of ways. I didn't invite him back."

The news that Bray resurfaced five years later didn't surprise Brown.

"Some of my boys said Sharif was playing well in the summer league and really looked good," he said.

Since Cheyney is only 25 miles from Philadelphia, the Wolves were a good move for Bray's two remaining years of college eligibility.

Cheyney was picked to finish fourth in the East in the preseason poll, but that wasn't with Bray in the lineup.

"He will have an impact on the team the next two years," said Brown.

Thanks to Bray, the Wolves are off to a 5-1 start, which is impressive since they haven't played a home game and won't until Jan. 6 due to gym renovations.

Cheyney coach Dominique Stephens, whose son Dominique Curry played football for California the past season after starring four years on the hard floor for the Wolves, calls Bray "a coach's dream."

Brown and has players will get a first-hand look at Bray on Saturday, Jan. 9, when the Vulcans play a 3 p.m. game at Cheyney.

"He'll probaby get 30 against us," grinned Brown.

* Shaka Smart, who started his coaching career as an assistant at California University under Brown in the 1999 and 2000 seasons, is off to a 5-2 start at Division I Virginia Commonweath University.

One of the wins was over then-No. 17 Oklahma, 82-69.

The Rams' other victories are over Rhode Island, Nevada, Hampton and Bethune-Cookman.

VCU is coming off a 75-74 loss to William and Mary in its Colonial Athletic Association opener, which snapped a four-game winning streak.

And thanks to Joe Stringhill, of Lynnwood, who says one of the worst things about retirement is that you have to drink coffee on your own time!

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