KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Kalamazoo College Head Men's Basketball Coach Jay Smith announced the addition of 10 members to the program Tuesday morning. The entire class is made up of Michigan natives as Smith looks to build the Hornet program with a strong emphasis on in-state athletes.
As part of his first recruiting class, Smith said a priority was to bring in players that are committed to the classroom and the court.
"We're really excited to have this group of outstanding young men," Smith said. "This is a group that, first of all, contains outstanding students, which is priority. Second, these guys are basketball junkies and are very competitive. We think we hit a home run with our first class."
Daniel Black // Ann Arbor, Mich. // Skyline // 6'5, 185
Daniel is an unselfish, gritty player. On scouting reports, we refer to "glue guys," those players who may not fill up a stat sheet but who do hold the team together when they are on the floor. Glue guys make things run smoothly, and Dan is the perfect glue guy. He averaged five points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals and led his high school team in blocks last season at Skyline. As team captain last year, Dan was also named All-SEC Red Honorable Mention. He intends to major in business.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPnC-NdCC64
Brennen Buszka // Grosse Pointe, Mich. // South High School // 6'4, 184
Brennen is competitor that brings a versatile skill set to the court. He can score in just about every possible way while handling the ball like a true guard. Brennen is a fierce competitor and will go toe-to-toe with anyone. Brennen tallied over 700 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 steals, and 50 blocks in his high school career. His senior season, Brennen averaged a double-double on his way to being an all-state honorable mention and BCAM all-state honorable mention. He is currently undecided on his major.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYPd5k3AQIs&t=43s
Thomas Cook // Grand Blanc, Mich. // Grand Blanc // 6'7, 180
Thomas is a hybrid forward with the ability to step out and knock down 3's with consistency. Thomas knows how to use his length to his advantage and be disruptive on both ends of the floor. As a senior, he averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Thomas intends to major in business and earn a concentration in media studies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE3w0pA7gbc
Jordan Currie // Ann Arbor, Mich. // Pioneer // 6'6, 170
Jordan is offensively gifted, and the further away from the basket he gets, the more of a match-up nightmare he is for opponents. Jordan can score in the low post, attack off the dribble, and is a sniper from beyond the arc. A 2nd team Ann Arbor Dream Team member, Jordan averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game his senior year. Jordan is the all-time leader in career blocks at Pioneer High School. He intends to major in health sciences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfpOMFN8ZrU
Merritt Hamann // Montague, Mich. // Montague // 6'7, 195
Merritt brings incredible athleticism to our program. Given his ability to handle the basketball I expect to see some mighty fine highlight dunks before his career is done. A four-year varsity prep player, Merritt was named 1st team all conference as a senior. He averaged 15 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game for Montague last season. In the spirit of the liberal arts, Merritt is undecided about his major at K.
Owen Jozefowicz // Berkley, Mich. // Berkley // 6'9, 220
Owen is true low-post player. Owen has a college ready body and physical style of play that is suited to be a very good post player in our system. He rebounds the ball very well and has good instincts around the basket. Owen averaged 9.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game during his senior season. He is undecided but leaning toward either business or economics.
Calder Pellerin // Saline, Mich. // Saline // 6'6, 180
Calder is an impressive shooter whose length will really bother opponents next season. A two-time All SEC Red Honorable Mention selection, Calder averaged 11.7 points and five rebounds last season for the Hornets (K was his destiny!). He shot 35 percent from beyond the arc and was named to the Honorable Mention Ann Arbor Dream Team. Calder intends to major in computer science.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pP3mP5_CqM
Andrew Sheckell // Bloomfield Hills, Mich. // Wylie E. Groves // 6'5, 195
Drew brings toughness and swagger to his teams. He can step out and hit the open three and is a gifted playmaker when the ball in his hands. He can finish through contact and deliver an accurate pass when the defense collapses. What will make Drew special in our system is his ability to set great screens and get his teammates open. Drew can guard multiple positions and has sneaky athleticism. Drew intends to major in business.
https://app.krossover.com/intelligence/reel/86876
Jack Smith // Ann Arbor, Mich. // Huron // 6'3, 195
Jack brings the entire package to K. He's athletic enough to drive and dunk, and he can shoot the lights out. Big bodied for a guard, Jack is physical yet quick enough to guard just about anyone in our conference. As a junior, Jack was 1st team All-Conference, selected to the Ann Arbor Dream Team, and the Ann Arbor area MVP runner-up. As a senior Jack was 2nd team All-Conference and again selected to the Ann Arbor Dream Team. A four-year varsity player, Jack averaged 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, 2.5 steals, and shot 35 percent from deep last season. Jack is undecided about his major.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uikEK9GPwh4
Jarnard Smith // Detroit, Mich. // Fredrick Douglass // 6'1, 161
Jarnard is a quick athletic guard who can score in every way possible. Quick enough to beat defenders one-on-one, Jarnard has the finesse and strength to score at the rim. His hang time makes it seem as if he's floating, so, naturally, defenders give room to prevent getting beat. Big mistake! Jarnard can regularly knock down long-range shots. He averaged 20.7 points per game and 5.5 assists per game last season. Jarnard intends to major in business.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s53_55gHj6Q
Jeremiah Vincent // Kalamazoo, Mich. // Kalamazoo Central // 6'3, 190
Jeremiah is a local product and a proven winner. He plays with more length than his frame might suggest. He is an ideal slasher that can penetrate and finish. Most importantly, Jeremiah is a tenacious defender. His quickness allows him to play a little tougher on-ball defense and cause havoc. Jeremiah was named to all-conference team last season. He is undecided.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aR1hRlK2Ug
The Hornets saw their win total more than double in Smith's first year. Coach Smith said the six graduating seniors helped build the foundation for this group to take the program to the next level.
"I can't begin to thank our graduating seniors enough for their commitment to K and the basketball program," Smith said. "This is an exciting time to be a Hornet and it's in part because of all those involved that we are able to take the next step forward."
UPDATE: Brennen Buszka was added after the initial release bringing the total to 11.