GRAND FORKS, N.D.--University of North Dakota head men's basketball coach Brian Jones announced today the the addition of seven newcomers who will join the Fighting Sioux beginning in 2008-09.
“We are very excited about this recruiting class,” said Jones. “My staff did an unbelievable job of finding young men who will be ambassadors for this university. As a program we needed to address the areas of size, skill set, and versatility to play multiple positions. Each one of these young men has the ability to make an impact on the game without scoring due to their high level of skill and unselfishness.”
“An important criteria in our recruiting philosophy is recruiting players from winning programs. This entire class comes from successful high school or junior college programs. We believe the best way to build a winning program is to build it with winners.”
Jordan Allard
Guard, 6-7
Fargo, N.D. (Fargo South High School)
A 2008 graduate of Fargo South High School ... An all-state first team selection as a senior ... Earned All-Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) honors and was a North Dakota Mr. Basketball nominee ... Led Fargo South to an 18-7 overall record and a state runner-up finish ... Was named to the North Dakota State All-Tournament team ... Averaged 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game as a senior ... Made 37 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Coach Jones on Allard: "Jordan is like a point-forward on the floor. He has great vision, can stretch the defense with his shooting and can score with his back to the basket."
Doug Archer
Forward/Center, 6-7
Conception Junction, Mo. (Jefferson High School)
A 2008 graduate of Jefferson High School ... Led Jefferson to three consecutive Class 1 state championships as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Led Jefferson to state runner-up as a freshman ... A two-time all-state selection ... Also a two-time all-district and all-conference honoree ... Competed in the Lion's All-Star game and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame All-Star game ... A McDonald's All-America nominee ... Averaged 12.2 points and 6.7 rebounds as a senior with 131 blocked shots and 96 assists ... Set a Missouri State High School Activities Association state championship game record with 10 blocked shots as a junior in 2007 title game ... Scored more than 1,000 career points as a prep with 354 rebounds ... Believed to be first Jefferson High School product to sign a Division I letter of intent.
Coach Jones on Archer: "Doug is just a winner. He won three straight state titles and only lost a total of five games in his high school career. Similar to Jordan Allard, he can play multiple positions due to his skill, but he really has the ability to lock down the opposing team's player on the defensive end."
Spencer Goodman
Forward, 6-6
Jackson, Mo. (Jackson High School)
A 2008 graduate of Jackson High School ... A two-time all-conference first team selection ... Earned all-district honors twice and all-region accolades once ... Led Jackson to a 20-8 record and a conference championship as a senior ... Averaged 14.2 points and 7.0 rebounds as a senior while shooting 60 percent from the field ... Served as a team captain as a senior and junior.
Coach Jones on Goodman: "Spencer is a slasher who can score it driving to the rim, catching and shooting and filling the lanes in transition. He has great size for the off guard position."
Nick Haugen
Guard, 6-3
Rockford, Minn. (Rockford High School)
A 2008 graduate of Rockford High School ... Earned conference MVP honors as a senior and junior ... A Minnesota Mr. Basketball Top 20 finalist as a senior ... Was also a McDonald's All-America nominee ... Scored 2,293 career points and was a five-time all-conference selection, including first-team honors as a senior, junior and sophomore ... Five-time Rockford Best Offensive Player and three-time Rockford Most Valuable Player ... Led Rockford to five straight conference championships ... Named to the state all-tournament team as a senior and freshman ... Received Rockford's Character Award as a senior ... Averaged 18.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a senior ... Shot 45 percent from three-point range ... Led Rockford to a 121-29 record in 150 career games.
Coach Jones on Haugen: "Nick is 'Mr. Consistent.' You know what you are going to get out of him, night in and night out. He will have the ability to play both the off guard and point guard in our offense."
Jordan May
Guard, 6-0
Fargo, N.D. (Fargo North High School)
A 2008 graduate of Fargo North High School ... The 2007-08 Class A Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year ... A North Dakota Mr. Basketball finalist as a senior ... A two-time all-state and all-conference selection ... Also twice named to the North Dakota State All-Tournament team ... Led Fargo North to a 19-6 record as a senior while averaging 23.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game ... Set a Fargo North single-season scoring record.
Coach Jones on May: "Jordan has an unbelievable feel for the game. Things look easy for him on the offensive end. He can score it, shoot it and get guys the ball where they are comfortable on the floor."
Travis Mertens
Forward, 6-5
Devils Lake, N.D. (Lake Region State College / Devils Lake High School)
Spent the previous two seasons at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, N.D. ... Graduated as Lake Region's all-time leading rebounder and ranks seventh all-time in scoring ... Was named to the NJCAA All-America third team as a sophomore at Lake Region ... Was also named MonDak Conference Most Valuable Player as a senior after averaging 20.0 points and 9.9 rebounds ... Also earned first team all-conference and all-region honors ... Was the runner-up for MonDak MVP as a freshman after averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds ... Earned first team all-conference honors ... A 2006 graduate of Devils Lake High School ... Was the 2006 North Dakota Mr. Basketball recipient.
Coach Jones on Mertens: "Travis will help us immediately at the forward position. He has the ability to score the ball different ways and rebound the ball at both ends. In his two years at Lake Region he has proven he can play at a high level and I expect him to be a big part of our foundation the next two seasons."
Mitch Wilmer
Center, 6-10
Warroad, Minn. (Warroad High School)
A 2008 graduate of Warroad High School ... Named the 2007-08 Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... Also earned North Border All-Conference honors ... Led Warroad High School to a 20-7 overall record as a senior ... Averaged 14.1 points and 8.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots per game as a senior ... Blocked 95 shots in 27 games.
Coach Jones on Wilmer: "Mitch's best basketball is ahead of him. He can really run for his size. He alters shots and will cover up a lot of mistakes on the defensive end due to his shot-blocking ability. On the offensive end he can score with his back to the basket or face up and make jump shots, which is crucial in our offense."
The Fighting Sioux, who will begin Division I competition in 2008-09, went 15-15 overall last season and advanced to the North Central Conference championship game.
###
