Matt Majkrzak

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University men’s basketball head coach Matt Majkrzak has announced the signing of five incoming freshmen and two transfers into the program.

Freshman Aidan Bellisle, CJ Campbell, Najashi Tolefree, Casey Verhagen and Max Weisbrod and transfers Josh Evans and Diego Robinson will join the Wildcats for this fall.

Bellisle was one of the Upper Peninsula’s top players last season, coming out of Menominee.

“We are really excited about this incoming recruiting class,” Majkrzak said. “With only two upperclassmen on our roster, we felt it was important to add some veteran players in Diego and Josh, who have already completed tremendous careers at NAIA institutions. At the same time, it was important for us to keep bringing in top-tier high school talent.

“The biggest thing that stands out about these guys is how hard they all work on their games outside of practice. They are passionate basketball players that care about their craft.

“In addition, they are tremendous young men who are great students and place a high value on academics. We are thrilled about their potential to make big impacts on and off the floor.”

Here is a thumbnail sketch about each of these new players, including their hometown. Listed first are the five freshmen and then the two transfers:

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Aidan Bellisle, Menominee — This 6-foot-1 guard finished a stellar career at Menominee High School being named the Player of the Year for both U.P. Divisions 1-3 and the Great Northern Conference last season. He was also named to the U.P. Dream Team. He averaged just over 15 points per game and nearly 5 assists per game. He led the Maroons to the Division 3 state championship game last spring and scored over 1,000 career points.

“Aidan was one of the best players in the U.P. this past season, and what really stood out was the impact he had on winning,” Majkrzak said. “Leading Menominee to an appearance in the state championship game, he found different ways to win, whether that meant scoring, passing or defending.

“He was also a standout on the football field, and is the kind of tough, smart and skilled player we place a high value on.”

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CJ Campbell, New Richmond, Wis. — This 6-6 forward from New Richmond High School was named a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 2 honorable mention all-state, Second Team All-Big Rivers Conference and a WBCA All-Star.

He averaged 23.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game his senior year while scoring 1,549 career points.

“CJ’s athleticism and shooting stroke are the first things that stand out about him,” Majkrzak said. “He’s a three-level scorer who can catch lob dunks and pull up from deep. He uses his athleticism defensively to protect the rim and rebound.

“He has every tool that you could ask for out of a young wing, and we are excited about the way he keeps getting better.”

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Najashi Tolefree, Milwaukee — This 6-6 forward from West Allis Central High School was named WBCA Division 1 honorable mention all-state, Second Team All-Woodland West Conference and a WBCA All-Star.

He averaged 21.1 ppg, 10.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists his senior year while scoring 1,372 career points.

“Najashi is a fierce competitor who plays with a high motor and toughness,” Majkrzak said. “On the defensive side of the ball, he can guard all five positions and is a tremendous rebounder that aggressively pursues the ball.

“On offense, he’s a great scorer that can take advantage of mismatches, and is a great passer for his size.”

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Casey Verhagen, Sheboygan, Wis. — A 6-1 guard from Sheboygan Lutheran High School, Verhagen was named WBCA Division 4 First Team All-State, First Team All-Big East Conference and a WBCA All-Star last season.

He averaged 26.2 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.8 steals his senior year and accumulated 2,265 career points. He led his team to a 25-2 record his senior year as they won the Big East South Conference title.

“Casey is someone we first saw as a freshman competing against Justin and Dylan Kuehl in the state playoffs,” Majkrzak said. “He has a tremendous ability to get to the paint using his quickness and strength. He also has a big-time knack for putting the ball in his basket, which is evident in the 2,265 points he scored.

“He’s a coach’s son who has natural leadership skills and an intense desire to win.”

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Max Weisbrod, DeForest, Wis. — This 6-4 guard from DeForest High School was named WBCA Division 2 First Team All-State, the Badger East Conference Player of the Year and a WBCA All-Star last season.

He averaged 20.8 ppg, 7.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists his senior year and scored 1,402 career points. He led his team to a 23-5 record his senior year as they won the Badger-East Conference title.

“Max is another coach’s son who first and foremost cares about winning,” Majkrzak said. “He’s a big guard that uses his size to not only score and rebound, but also find open guys anywhere on the floor. He’s very physical and defensively can guard a variety of positions using his strength and high IQ.”

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Josh Evans, Dolton, Ill. — A 6-2 guard who is a graduate transfer from St. Xavier (Illinois) of the NAIA, Evans was named an honorable mention NAIA All-American and First-Team All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference last season.

He averaged 17.3 ppg, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals, leading his team in each category. He has been named All-CCAC twice and scored 1,252 career points in college. He led the CCAC in steals, was second in free throws made, eighth in points per game and ninth in assists.

Nationally, he was 11th in steals and 28th in free throws made. He was named the CCAC Player of the Week on Dec. 7 for averaging 24.5 ppg, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in two games.

“Josh is a transfer from the same NAIA conference as (current Wildcat junior) John Kerr, and we think he will make a similar impact with not just his play, but his leadership for our team,” Majkrzak said. “He’s an athletic-led guard that can score at three levels and set his teammates up. We also feel like he has a chance to be one of the best defensive players in the conference.”

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Diego Robinson, Lansing — A 6-6 forward from Rochester University of the NAIA in downstate Rochester Hills, he was named First-Team All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference last season, averaging 13.8 ppg and 9.5 rebounds while shooting 56.1% from the field. He totaled 11 double-doubles on the season.

Between his time at Rochester and Grand Rapids Community College, Robinson scored 1,034 points and collected 985 rebounds. He was named WHAC Player of the Week on Jan. 24th for averaging 19 ppg and 11 rpg while shooting 60.9% from the floor over two games.

He was also named to the WHAC All-Academic Team.

“Diego will be one of the best athletes in the conference, and has improved considerably every year of his career,” Majkrzak said. “He’s incredibly tough and competitive which is reflected in the 985 rebounds he’s grabbed collegiately. He’s proven that he can consistently score inside, and can command a double team. We think he’s a perfect fit with the shooting we return around him.”

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.