EC Men’s Basketball Announces 2022-23 Recruiting Class
EUREKA – Eureka men's basketball coach Chip Wilde announced the addition of another deep recruiting class for the program on Tuesday.
Wilde and his staff's class features 17 new players, including 11 freshmen, four junior transfers and two sophomore transfers. The majority are in-state talents, while two are from Idaho and one is from Michigan.
The Red Devils are set to also welcome back many familiar faces from last year's squad, which finished second in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 10-4 league record and made it to the SLIAC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2019.
"We are really excited about this recruiting class," Wilde said. "Even though we lost a lot from last year's graduating class, we feel like this incoming class helps us fill a lot of those needs. With size, scoring, depth and academics, this recruiting class covers a lot of bases. We are really excited about getting on the floor with them in October, and seeing what they can do.
"And we can't wait to get to work."
The Class of 2022-23 includes:
A 6-foot-10 junior transfer from Southwestern Illinois College, Cody appeared in 20 games for the Blue Storm last season. A Dunlap High School graduate, he also previously played for Minnesota State and Carl Sandburg, averaging 10.7 points and four rebounds per game while shooting 58.9 percent from the field for the Chargers in his first collegiate season.
A 5-foot-9 junior transfer guard from Carl Sandburg, Brock appeared in 38 games in two seasons for the Chargers. He previously played for Illini Bluffs.
A 6-foot-2 freshman from Auburn, Brock helped the Trojans capture a regional championship.
A 6-foot-4 freshman from Morton, Ben was a Second Team All-Mid Illini honoree for the Potters last season. He was also an Honors Student.
A 6-foot-4 freshman from Washington, Andrew helped the Panthers go 22-8 and finish second in the Mid-Illini Conference this season.
A 6-foot-7 freshman from Pekin, Colin represented the Dragons in the Central Illinois All-Star Game and the Kiwanis of Canton All-Star Game. He was also an Honors Student.
A 6-foot-2 sophomore transfer from Lincoln College, Darnell played men's volleyball for the Lynx and previously played basketball at Gary Comer College Prep.
A 5-foot-10 freshman from Roscommon, Michigan, Joel was a two-time First Team Highland Conference honoree, a 2022 Bay City Times Dream Team honoree, a 2022 Detroit Free Press All-State Honorable Mention Recipient and the Roscommon High School Male Athlete of the Year. An Honors Student, a Highland Conference All-Academic selection and a BCAM All-State Academic selection, he also set the school record for 3s in a game with 11.
A 6-foot-6 junior transfer from Lincoln College, Garrett previously played one season of basketball and two seasons of men's volleyball for the Lynx.
A 5-foot-11 freshman from Peoria Christian, Gavin helped the Chargers win a regional title, a Peoria Heights Tourney title and an Inter County Athletic Tourney title and advance to the Sweet 16 in Class 1A. An Honors Student, he also was selected to the Peoria Heights Tourney All-Tournament Team and a Kiwanis All-Star.
A 6-foot freshman from Meridian, Idaho, Blake helped Mountain View High School clinch two state tournament berths in both baseball and basketball, and he was a two-time all-academic honoree.
A 6-foot-2 freshman from Meridian, Idaho, Dylan also helped Mountain View High School earn two state appearances.
A 6-foot-2 freshman from Peoria Heights, Steven was a starter for the Patriots last year.
A 6-foot junior transfer from Parkland College, Noah has scored 409 career points in 59 career games at the collegiate level. He was previously was an All-Area honoree for Metamora High School.
A 6-foot-4 freshman from LaHarpe, Max was a two-time First Team All-West Central honoree and the eighth leading scorer in program history at Illini West. He also selected to the Hanckock County Tournament All-Tournament Team, named the Blessing Hospital All-Star Game MVP and was selected for the Illinois vs. Missouri Muddy River Showcase. A High Honors student, he was also a state track and field qualifier in the discus.
A 6-foot sophomore transfer from Lincoln College, Jesse previously helped Bolingbrook High School win a regional championship.
A 5-foot-11 freshman from Delavan, Fabian is a sharpshooter who hit two game-winning daggers for the Panthers.