×

NMU men’s basketball announces 2 recruits

Cal Klesmit of Neenah, Wis., guard guards during a game last season. (Photo courtesy USA Today Network-Wisconsin by Dan Powers)
Peter Lattos, center, takes a jump shot for West Salem, Wis., last season. (Photo courtesy Winona, Minn., Daily News)

By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE — A pair of all-state high school players from Wisconsin have been announced as signing national letters of intent to attend and play men’s basketball at Northern Michigan University.

Cal Klesmit and Peter Lattos join four high school players who were announced as signing letters of intent in November — Riley Brooks, Cooper LePage, JR Lukenbill and Brandon Trilli.

“In this current climate in college basketball, we had a lot of great options to fill our last two spots,” men’s basketball head coach Matt Majkrzak said in an NMU news release.

“These two stood out as excellent players and perfect fits for the culture we have created.

“Both led their team to the state tournament this season and are winners in every sense of the word. They also fit Northern and Marquette perfectly.

“We’ve been fortunate to have some really good recruiting classes the last few years and I think this class has a chance to be the best one yet.”

The Wildcats are coming off their first appearance in the NCAA Division II national tournament in more than two decades, having beaten former GLIAC member Hillsdale 86-81 before falling to McKendree 93-83 in the second round of the Midwest Regional.

That followed Northern’s championship in the GLIAC Tournament, another feat that the Wildcats hadn’t achieved in two decades.

Here is a synopsis of the two latest recruits:

Cal Klesmit — This 6-foot-2 guard from Neenah High School averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season, when his team made the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 state semifinals.

He scored 45 points in a game at Appleton East on Dec. 2 and had 21 assists in the sectional finals vs. Superior on March 11.

He earned Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 1 honorable mention all-state, Associated Press fourth team all-state, Prep Hoops first team all-state, Fox 11 News first team all-area, Appleton Post-Crescent first team all-area, Fox Valley unanimous first team all-conference, Prep Hoops honorable mention all-tournament team and was a WBCA all-star.

“Cal comes from a tremendous high school program at Neenah that has produced a ton of really good college players,” Majkrzak said in the release. “He’s got a college-ready build and is skilled not just as a three-level scorer but is a phenomenal passer.

“What really separates Cal is his competitive desire and high IQ.”

Peter Lattos — This 6-8 forward from West Salem High School averaged 14.7 ppg, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocked shots to help lead his team to a 28-2 record and a trip to the Wisconsin Division 3 state championship game.

He was named WBCA Division 3 all-state, AP fourth team all-state, first team All-Tribune, two-time first team all-conference, Prep Hoops honorable mention all-tournament team and a WBCA all-star.

“Peter is 6-8 but plays and thinks the game like a guard,” Majkrzak said. “West Salem has had an incredible run the last couple of years and Peter was in the middle of all of It.

“He’s all about winning and could take over games in so many different ways with scoring, rebounding, defense and passing.”

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

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today