UMD Announces Mens Basketball Recruiting Class

BOWEN ANNOUNCES 2013-14 UMD MEN’S BASKETBALL RECRUITING CLASS

University of Minnesota Duluth head men’s basketball coach Matt Bowen this week put the finishing touches on his hefty 2013-14 recruiting class, a group which is comprised of a dozen standouts from the high school, collegiate and junior college ranks.

Joining the Bulldog program this fall will be freshmen forward Charles Benson (forward; Tucson, Ariz.-Amphitheater H.S.), guard Justin Byrd (Carlsbad, Calif-Sante Fe H.S.), guard/forward Treyton Daniels(Park Center H.S.), forward Jonah Eisenschenk (Avon, Minn.-Rocori H.S.), guard Garrison Gillard (Brooklyn Park, Minn.-Maranatha Christian Academy), forward/center Jake Harder (Spring Valley, Minn.-Kingsland H.S.), guard/forward John Lahti (Turtle Lake, Minn.-Turtle Lake H.S.), center Lane Olson (Colfax, Wis.-Colfax H.S.) and forward Jake Wilson (Zimmerman, Minn.-Zimmerman H.S.), and junior guards Junior Coleman (Phoenix, Ariz.), a transfer from Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., Jack Connors (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who transferred to UMD last winter after playing the previous one-plus seasons at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Pierre Newton (Laveen, Ariz.), who spent the 2012-13 season with the University of Nebraska-Kearney program and the previous year at Arizona State University. Newton will sit out this season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.

“This class will increase our athleticism and create depth at every position immediately,” said Bowen, who went 8-19 overall in his debut season at UMD last winter. “Our recruiting coordinator Kevin Williamson and my staff did a great job of identifying and developing strong relationships locally, regionally and nationally and recruited a talented group of players who will impact Bulldog basketball immediately

Charles Benson (F, 6-6, 230, Fr., Tucson, Ariz.-Amphitheater H.S.) – Spent the 2012-13 season at Westwind Prep Academy in Phoenix, Ariz. … averaged 11.9 points and 8.1 rebounds a game for the Warriors …started for two years at Amphitheater High School and attained All-City citations both of those seasons  … landed a spot on the 2011-12 All-State team as well … was  a key component on three Panther teams which advanced to the Arizona state tournament title game (winning it all in 2011 and taking runner-up honors in 2010 and 2011 … captained the Panthers as both a junior and senior … is a 2012 graduate of Amphitheater High School.

Justin Byrd (G, 6-1, 180, Fr., Carlsbad, Calif. -Santa Fe Christian H.S.) – Was a three-year starter in the Sante Fe Christian High School backcourt … capped off his prep career in 2012-13 with a second straight selection to the All-Coastal League first team … named the Eagles’ Most Valuable Player as a junior … his father, Chris, is a former heavyweight boxer who won a silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Junior Coleman (G, 6-0, 195, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.-Northwest College) – Engaged in two season of junior college competition at Wyoming’s Northwest College prior to signing on with the Bulldogs … placed second among 2012-13 Trappers in scoring with a 14.5 points per game average and ranked first in assists (81), steals (47) court time (26.6 minutes an outing) … compiled a 12.9 ppg scoring average the previous winter.

Jack Connors (G, 6-2, 190,  Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.-University of Missouri-St. Louis) – Played the first two months of his sophomore year at the University of Missouri-St. Louis before enrolling at UMD last January … accrued court time in 27 of the Tritons’ 28 games in 2011-12 while making eight starts … averaged 6.3 points per game and topped UMSL in free throw percentage (.962) that winter … played in nine games during 2012-13 before parting ways with the Tritons … is a 2011 graduate of Saguaro High School … helped lead the Sabercats to a runner-up placing at the Arizona State Class 4A Tournament

Treyton Daniels (G/F, 6-4, 180, Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.-Park Center H.S.) – Captured All-Northwest Suburban Conference first team recognition in his final two prep seasons while serving as Park Center High School’s team captain …  helped lead the Pirates to a 28-4 overall record and a second-place finish at the 2012-13 Minnesota State Class AAAA Tournament … was chosen to the All-Tournament team in the process … also competed in the Minnesota State Track and Field Class AA Meet twice (2012 and 2013) in the triple jump … his father, Dexter, is a Minnesota State University-Mankato football alumnus. 

Jonah Eisenschenk (F, 6-5, 215, Fr., Avon, Minn.-Rocori H.S.) – Exited the Rocori High School program in 2013 as its all-time scoring leader (1,906 points) …. was a three-time All-Central Lakes pick and team captain and also secured the Spartans’ Most Valuable Player award on three occasions … latched on to a starting forward assignment midway through his freshman year and never looked back … took part in the 2011-12 Minnesota State Class AAA Tournament … made the Central Lakes All-Academic Team as a sophomore, junior and senior … two of his older siblings (Jeremiah and Sarah) both attended medical school at UMD.

Garrison Gillard (G, 6-3, 190, Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.-Maranatha Christian Academy) – Capped off his playing days at Maranatha Christian Academy this past March by being to the All-Minnesota Christian Athletic Association Team for a second straight season … landed All-State honors as well after helping spark helping the Mustangs advance to the 2012-13 Minnesota State Class A Tournament championship game and a 31-3 overall record … was a two-year starter for Maranatha in both basketball and football (kick returner and quarterback).

Jake Harder (F/C, 6-8, 200, Fr., Spring Valley, Minn.-Kingsland H.S.) – Attended UMD in both 2012-13 and 2011-12, but did not compete in basketball … is a 2011 graduate of Kingsland High School … received All-Three Lakes Conference acclaim (honorable mention) as a senior — his lone year of starting activity with the Knights … was voted the Kingsland High School’s Most Improved Player in 2010-11 … also lettered three times in crorr county, twice in golf and once and football and was Three Rivers Conference All-Academic Team qualifier in each of those three sports as well as basketball.

John Lahti (G/F, 6-5, 205, Fr, Turtle Lake, Wis.-Turtle Lake H.S.) – Topped the 2012-13 Turtle Lake High School scoring charts en route to corralling All-Lakeland Central Conference status for the second consecutive season …. captained the Lakers as a senior and was a three-year starter … also was a all-conference performer in football (defensive end and running back) and baseball (outfield and third base) during his Turtle Lake High School tenure … his older sister, Ashley, is a member of the Wartburg College (IA) volleyball team.

Pierre Newton (G, 6-5, 200, Jr., Laveen, Ariz.-University of Nebraska-Kearney) – Comes to UMD with two years of NCAA II/I basketball experience tucked under his belt … will not be eligible to play with the Bulldogs until the 2014-15 season … started 25 of 26 games for the University of Nebraska-Kearney last winter and ranked second among Lopers in scoring (13.1 points per game), assists (56), steals (19) and minutes (33.8 mpg) …posted a career best for scoring with a 24-point effort against both the South Dakota School of Mines and and Missouri Southern State University … earned an academic scholarship to Arizona State the previous year and walked on to the Sun Devil basketball team … made five appearances that season … captained Fairfax High School to the 2010-11 Arizona Class 5A State Tournament championship.

Lane Olson (C, 6-7, 225, Fr., Colfax, Wis.-Colfax H.S.) – Anchored the post position for Colfax High School for four years … saved some of his best basketball for last and was rewarded for a stellar senior season with All-State and All-Dunn-St. Croix Conference recognition … helped the Vikings gain a berth in the 2011-12 Wisconsin State High School Division 4 Tournament  … was entrusted with team captaincy duties for the 2012-13 season … also played one year of golf at Colfax High School … his cousin, John Emerson, was a four-year basketball letterman at UMD (forward) and rolled up 1,107 points between 2003-06.

Jake Wilson (F, 6-6, 195, Fr., Zimmerman, Minn.-Zimmerman H.S.) – Put in three solid years of work as a starter for Zimmerman High School … his prep resume included an All-Granite Ridge Conference citation as both a junior and senior … paced the Thunder in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots as both a junior and senior … is Zimmerman’s career leader in rebounds and its second all-time point producer … captained the Thunder as a senior …. was among 40 individuals (along with fellow 2013-14 Bulldog recruits Jonah Eisenschenk and Chris Wilson) who participated in the Minnesota High School Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Series this past April … started two years as well in football (quarterback and wide receiver) at Zimmerman High School.