Bound for Slovakia, Mulvey sees bright future for Siena basketball

LOUDONVILLE — Bound for his first professional basketball team, former Siena University center Riley Mulvey is bullish on the future of the program that he’s leaving.

Mulvey, a Rotterdam native, has taken part recently in Saints’ summer workouts under new coach Nevada Smith. Mulvey said they’ve known each other since Smith was on the staff at Texas and recruited Mulvey, then a rising prep-school star.

The 7-foot Mulvey got permission from Smith to work out with current players to stay in shape. Mulvey came away impressed.

“I think (Smith) is going to do a great job this year,” Mulvey said. “I personally think the offensive scheme that he’s going to run is going to be great with the guys that he has. And, honestly, being around the team for a couple of days, they already have good team chemistry. I think they’re closer as a team during the summer than we were last year. That’s the vibe that I’m getting. They seem very, very tight-knit.”

In his only season after transferring back home from Iowa, Mulvey helped Siena win the Metro Conference and reach its first NCAA Tournament since 2010. The Saints led Duke by 13 points in the second half before losing 71-65 in a first-round game in Greenville, N.C.

Mulvey announced Wednesday he’s continuing in basketball career in Slovakia. He’ll play for BKM Lučenec in the Slovak Basketball League. BKM Lučenec coach Aled Jones is a New Zealander who used to coach new Siena guard Mana Marin, who hails from New Zealand.

“As a coach, I am very excited about Riley’s arrival,” Jones said in a news release. “He comes from successful, high-level university programs and brings with him a winning mentality, selflessness, size and playing skills that perfectly complement our team and the way we want to play.”

Mulvey said his agent found the opportunity in Slovakia, where Jones wants him to play as a passing big man who can have the offense run through him. Mulvey, who has never traveled overseas, sees it as the first step in his pro career.

Mulvey described the Slovak Basketball League as one of the lower-end FIBA leagues.

He leaves in late August for training camp. The season begins in October.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Mulvey said. “I can’t wait to go prove myself and then go end up in a couple different countries, probably stop in Japan at one point once I build up enough of a resume.”

Former Siena center Ryan Rossiter has enjoyed a lengthy pro career in Japan.

Mulvey expects that Siena, under Smith’s fast-tempo system, will look much different than it did under former head coach Gerry McNamara.

“We were defensive-focused with G-Mac,” he said. “I think this team being offensive-focused, it’s going to shake up the MAAC. I think they’re going to have the potential to win any game they play this year.”

Mulvey recently went through individual workouts with Siena newcomers Tim Ibukunoluwa, a 6-foot-8 wing from Australia, and Yannis Steger, a 6-foot-9 forward from Germany.

“They seem pretty good,” Mulvey said. “We played 1-on-1, and they’ve got some skills. I think they’re going to do good this year.”

Mulvey said Ibukunoluwa’s strength reminds him of former Siena forward Francis Folefac, who transferred to Syracuse.

“Francis’ post game, I think, was a little more complete,” Mulvey said. “Tim has so much more guard skill.”