Men's Basketball Announces 2024-25 Recruiting Class
MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University men's basketball team has announced their recruiting class for the 2024-25 season.
New head coach Tom Church will welcome a total of eight players to the program for the upcoming year.
Nick Ellis
6-8/215
Grand Ledge, Mich. (Grand Ledge/Mid Michigan CC)
Averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season at Mid Michigan CC where he started all 29 games. Named MCCAA Second Team All-Northern Division as well as to the MCCAA All-Academic Team. Ellis' father, James, graduated from NU in 1996
Ellis Quote:
"Northwood was a clear winner in my search for the perfect basketball destination. With my father being an alum, my team experience during my high school days, along with a welcoming and comfortable environment on and off the court, I couldn't imagine a better way to finish my career."
Coach Church Quote:
"Nick is a great fit at Northwood and I'm excited that he decided to honor his commitment here. Nick has a great motor, versatility and athleticism and will give us some much-needed depth at the forward position. Nick joins us from a great Mid-Michigan CC program, and he fits our team-first and selfless mentality."
Jamison Eklund
6-5/200
Westphalia, Mich. (Pewamo Westphalia/Lansing CC)
Averaged 22.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor in one season with Lansing CC. Named First Team All-MCCAA, All-MCCAA West as well as to the MCCAA All-Freshman team.
Eklund quote
"I chose to attend NU because I really liked the campus, I trust the coaching staff, and I want to help turn the program around"
Coach Church Quote:
"I'm excited to have Jamison join our family here at Northwood and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in a Timberwolf uniform. Jamison put up some impressive numbers at Lansing CC and he will bring some much-needed shooting from the perimeter. Jamison will have three years of eligibility with us and I'm eager to help him grow as a player."
JT Morgan
6-7/200
Detroit, Mich. (U of D Jesuit/Maryville U.)
Graduate student who has played in 88 games and made 59 starts at the NCAA D2 level. He averaged 20+ mins/game every season at MU.
Morgan quote:
"The academics and the opportunities that would come after a degree from NU was very important in my decision making"
Coach Church Quote:
"JT has the experience, physicality and maturity that we were looking for after playing in the GLVC for the last four years. I believe his game will translate well to our system and I'm eager to start working with him in helping to take his game to the next level. I'm excited that he has the opportunity to work towards his Graduate Degree here at NU."
Georden Rogers
6-6/165
Coral Springs, Fla. (Hillsborough CC/Missouri-St. Louis))
Started 52 out of 53 games at Hillsborough CC. Rogers is the all-time leader in starts, 3-point field goals and 2-point field goals in HCC history. Two year All-Southern Conference honoree. Appeared in 14 games at UMSL in 2023-24.
Rogers quote:
"I came to Northwood because of the positive energy from the coaching staff and the family environment they bring in."
Coach Church Quote:
"I'm excited to have Georden and his family join our family here at Northwood. Georden brings a ton of talent and energy to our program, and he will be relied upon heavily in his one year here at NU. Georden is exactly the kind of high character student-athlete we want to continually build our program with."
Andrew Smith
6-2/180
Farmington Hills, Mich. (Orchard Lake St. Mary's)
2023-24 MHSAA Div. 1 State Champion at Orchard Lake St. Mary's. Smith was named All-Academic & All-League in the Detroit Catholic School League. Shot over 40% from 3-point range. Brother Christian played at Northwood from 2018-22.
Smith quote:
"I chose Northwood because of the trust I have in Coach Church & Coach (Matt) Bullinger. They were able to present a vision for the program that I believe will lead to sustained success. They are great communicators, which makes it easy to buy into the plan for the future."
Coach Church Quote:
"Andrew is a state champion and comes from one of the best high schools and conferences in Michigan. He's bringing the type of winning mentality that this program needs. I'm excited that he will be able to follow in the footsteps of his family in graduating from Northwood University."
Holden Souter
6-6/200
St. Louis, Mo. (Whitfield)
Named First Team All-District. Souter earned MICDS All-Tournament First Team honors. He is a member of the National Honor Society at Whitfield.
Souter quote:
"I chose NU because of the family environment, when I came here it was more than a team it was a family that I wanted to be a part of"
Coach Church Quote:
"We are adding someone in Holden who gets it done in both the classroom and on the floor. Holden will give us some versatility at the forward position both for the present and for the future. I'm excited to see his growth here at NU over his four years."
Brayden Szamrej
6-2/180
Hudsonville, Mich. (Hudsonville)
Two-time All-District honoree at Hudsonville. Member of the 2022-23 District Championship team. Named Honorable Mention All-State in 2024.
Szamrej quote:
"I chose to attend Northwood to further my education in the business program while doing what I love on the court."
Coach Church Quote:
"I'm ecstatic that Brayden decided to join me here at Northwood University. His vision and playmaking ability as a point guard is going to electrify the crowds in Riepma Arena. Brayden comes from an amazing family, and he has a bright future ahead of him as a Timberwolf."
Elijah Watson
6-7/210
Chicago Heights, Ill. (Thornton Fractional South/West Liberty/Wayne State Neb.)
Graduate student who has played in 57 games and made 23 starts at the NCAA D2 level. Watson played at West Liberty for his first two seasons before transferring to WSC for his final two seasons. He is a 3-time conference champion and played in the 2020-21 NCAA D2 Elite Eight.
Watson Quote:
"I chose to be a part of the NU program because of the culture that Coach Church wants to build here. I want to be part of the family atmosphere and the Midland community."
Coach Church Quote:
"Elijah was a big-time commitment for our program and I think he has an opportunity to make an immediate impact on our team and in the G-MAC. Elijah is exactly the kind of goal-oriented student-athlete that we want to continue to add here at Northwood University."