Willamette Adds Six Players to Men's Basketball Team for 2017-18 Season
By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's basketball has added six new players for the 2017-18 season according to Head Coach Kip Ioane. Two of the freshmen are from California, with two more from Washington, plus one each from Oregon and Nevada.
The group of new players includes two posts, two guards, a wing and a forward.
"I am extremely excited to get these newcomers on campus, in cardinal and gold, and acclimated to the day-to-day process of being a member of our program," said Willamette Head Coach Kip Ioane. "We are bringing in size, versatility, and most importantly, a group of competitive kids who want to help push Bearcat Hoop forward."
With both a varsity and a junior varsity program at Willamette, the new Bearcats will be eligible to compete for playing time on either team.
"I want to be sure I commend Coach Nathan Covill, Coach Jonathan Willis, and Coach Kevin MacRae for their tremendous support and effort in communicating and working to get these six players into the program," Ioane said. "Recruiting is an absolute team effort and we are lucky to have this group of coaches working for us!"
Here is the Willamette recruiting class for the 2017-18 season:
Ben Sutton
Fr., 6'8", Forward, Seattle, WA/Ingraham HS
Sutton played high school basketball at Ingraham High School in Seattle, Washington. As a senior, he played in 19 games and averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He also earned 1.6 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. He was chosen Most Improved Player as a sophomore and was the Most Inspirational Player as a junior. He completed an International Baccalaureate Diploma as a junior through the Seattle Public Schools.
Coach Ioane about Ben Sutton:
"Ben has the ability to play both with his back to the basket and facing up opponents. That versatility, combined with his length, has us very excited to start working with him in the fall."
Justus Eaglesmith
Fr., 6'0", Guard, Sparks, NV/Spanish Springs HS
Eaglesmith competed at Spanish Springs High School in Nevada, where he played in 27 games a senior. He earned 4.9 points, 1.7 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game. He connected on 16 of 44 three-point shots (36%). He was named Honorable Mention All-High Desert League as a senior. He helped the Cougars go 23-5 on the season, including 16-0 in the High Desert League.
Coach Ioane about Justus Eaglesmith:
"Justus' ability to play multiple perimeter positions and his hard-nosed attitude as a competitor really intrigued us from the beginning of the recruiting process. He has a bright future."
Will Huntington
Fr., 6'7", Post, Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS
Huntington played at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California, which has a rich history on boys' basketball. He was chosen Honorable Mention All-Foothill League in the West Alameda County Conference. He contributed to the Dragons gong 19-11 overall and 9-1 in the Foothill League during his senior year.
Coach Ioane about Will Huntington:
"On film, Will always showed the ability to play defense for his team and grab rebounds. Combining that with Coach Covill's post player development work here in Salem will give him the chance to be very productive for us on both ends of the floor."
Alec Barba
Fr., 6'3", Wing, Dallas, OR/Central HS
Barba competed in basketball at nearby Central High School in Independence, Oregon. During his senior year, Barba was selected First Team All-Conference for his efforts against Mid-Willamette Conference opponents. He was Honorable Mention All-Conference as a junior. This past season, Central defeated Eagle Point, 65-50, in an OSAA Class 5A play-in game before losing to Summit, 53-47, in Bend, Oregon.
Coach Ioane about Alec Barba:
"Alec can shoot the basketball, and at the end of the day, we needed to find a shooter to add to our roster. His length will allow him to compete at multiple positions, and his shooting will create space that can be exploited by out other players on the floor."
Ryan Peterson
Fr., 6'7", Post, Edmonds, WA/Edmonds-Woodway HS
Peterson played at Edmonds-Woodway High School in Washington, where he was named Honorable Mention All-WESCO 2A/3A South as a senior. He helped Edmonds-Woodway earn an 18-6 record in 2016-17, including 10-2 in 2A/3A WESCO South action, as the Warriors tied for second place. In the 3A District Tournament, Edmonds-Woodway defeated Everett, 69-60, and lost to Stanwood, 77-54, before defeating Arlington, 59-58. The Warriors lost to Shorecrest, 74-63, in the 3A Regional.
Coach Ioane about Ryan Peterson:
"Ryan is a rim protector just now growing into his offensive potential. We are very excited to watch his development here with us over the course of his career."
Micah Fleming
Fr., 6'0", Guard, Orland, CA/Orland HS/Redemption Christian Academy (Mass.)
Fleming joins the Bearcats after graduating from Orland High School in California in 2016 and attending Redemption Christian Academy in Massachusetts as a graduate this past year. As a senior at Orland in 2015-16, he played in 16 games and averaged 10.3 points. He also provided 3.6 rebounds 3.6 assists and 0.8 steals per game. He registered a 2.04 assist-to-turnover ratio. Fleming's efforts contributed to Orland achieving a 16-11 record, including 6-4 in the Butte View League for a three-way tie for second.
Coach Ioane about Micah Fleming:
"Micah is a guy with tremendous will and drive. His route to Willamette is a story of determination, and that kind of toughness is evidenced in his game on the court as well."