Calvin Coach Bill Sall provided some fresh info about his incoming recruits in an email to friends of the program yesterday. In addition to Ben Elzinga of Covenant Christian and Mike DeKuiper of Rockford, and the D2 grad transfer Zion Ruchard from St. Thomas Aquinas, the coach highlighted four other incoming freshmen, presumably JV players, from a few far-flung locations:

Kade Clayton, 6-1, Prolific Sports Prep Academy, Calgary, AB, Canada
Jayden Keefer, 6-5, Ann Arbor Huron
Dylan Trobetsky, 6-5, Valley Catholic, Bend, Oregon
Ryan Wind, 6-10, Denver (CO) Christian                 

I believe there are several more incoming freshman hoopsters for Calvin but they are not likely to compete for varsity spots this year and probably not down the road, either. The Elzinga kid from Covenant Christian was Coach Sall's top target along with welcoming Jordan Scott back into the fold.

Another D2 transfer heading to Calvin for next season: 6-0 point guard Zion Ruckard from Aurora, CO, who comes from St. Thomas Aquinas, a strong D2 program. Ruckard has a connection to former Calvin standout Derek Griffin and provides additional depth at the point.

Quote from: Flying Dutch Fan on April 14, 2025, 09:40:27 AMDeuce Weston II 5-10 PG Flint Carman- Ainsworth will attend Albion

Most likely a two-point specialist.

Quote from: pointlem on April 12, 2025, 12:50:35 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on April 12, 2025, 12:45:30 PM

Quote from: goodknight on April 11, 2025, 08:04:00 PMhttps://x.com/natettucker/status/1910758344253468919

That post has been deleted. What did we miss?

Pat, try: https://x.com/natettucker

The transfer portal post from Nate Tucker is indeed what I had posted yesterday.

https://x.com/natettucker/status/1910758344253468919

Jordan Scott, the 6-3 point guard who showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman on Calvin's 2023-24 roster, is returning to the Knights' roster in the fall with three years of eligibility remaining. Scott took a gap year this current academic year to work, pad his savings account and enroll in a few business classes at Schoolcraft Community College. Prudently, he took a year off from college hoops to preserve his eligibility. Scott was a prolific scorer at Detroit Catholic Central and Plymouth Christian Academy in his high school days and is excited to be reunited with Coach Sall and his teammates. They will look to Jordan to significantly improve upon his 13.5 minutes per game and 5 points per game  he contributed in 29 games as a freshman.

Ben Elzinga, 6-8 post from Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, has committed to Calvin. According to Calvin Coach Bill Sall, the recruiting load on this one was carried in good measure by his assistant coach Derrick DeVries, who also played his high school hoops at Covenant Christian.

J

Quote from: wiz on March 20, 2025, 02:06:09 PMDoes anyone have a list of Calvin players that have ever been named NABC 1st team All American?

Jeff Febus knows all.

A sad, sudden end to a highly satisfying season for the Knights, who needed to learn how to win without their medical redshirt and two-time league MVP Jaylen Overway. The 20-game win streak was exhilarating after a 0-5 and 1-6 start to the year. But Wisconsin Lutheran put to rest any dreams of another deep run in the national tourney this year.  The Warriors were terrific and their pressing/trapping defense effectively kept Calvin off-balance and uncomfortable throughout the game. WLC's bruising big man Ryan Broeckel was unstoppable both inside and out. The Knights had no answer for him.
Still, it was a season to remember and celebrate -- and pay tribute to those whose Calvin basketball days have come to an end:
League MVP Uchenna Egekeze, a defense-first dervish who developed into a skilled scorer over his 5 seasons in the maroon-and-gold uniform.
Ty Horky, the grad transfer from Kalamazoo College, who contributed important minutes off the bench and steady, heady ball handling under pressure.
Daane Harvey, typically inserted for his defensive prowess, who enjoyed one mystical game this season against the Comets of Olivet when he tossed in 6 of 8 from behind the arc.
And, most likely, this year's leading scorer Owen Varnado who, although a junior in athletic eligibility, will gain his undergrad degree from Calvin this spring and is currently weighing his graduate school options.
Thanks to all of this year's Knights and to Coach Bill Sall and his assistants for an exciting year. This Calvin fan is already looking forward to next season.


 

WLC also has a starter who played for Calvin alum Scott Plaisier at Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst, IL. Looking forward to a very competitive game this afternoon.

Yes, hearty congratulations to Coach Bill Sall and his staff and hard-working team on a 14-0 MIAA campaign and 18 consecutive wins after a teetering 1-6 start. With Jalen Overway sidelined this year as a medical redshirt, the Knights had to find another way to win and a smothering, unrelenting defense proved to be the answer. Two more wins next week will assure the Knights of a chance to make some noise in the national tournament. Go, Calvin!

Felton fractured a bone in his hand. I heard today he will have another x-ray soon in hopes of returning to action. It would help to have him available when the Knights travel to Holland next week Wednesday.

I have been away from my laptop for the past day or two and only now am seeing the horrific news about the loss of Fred Garland. I join all those who have already pledged their prayers and offered expressions of condolence to the Garland family and our friends in the Trine community.

Rockford (MI) High School point guard Michael Dekuiper will enroll at Calvin.
https://x.com/MichaelDekuiper/status/1856852077839855906