Ferris State Men's Basketball Builds On Championship Success In 2015 Recruiting Class

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball program has built off its championship success from this past season as the Bulldogs have announced the signing of three student-athletes as part of FSU's 2015 recruiting class.

The Bulldogs, who won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship and reached the NCAA-II Tournament this past year, have inked a pair of junior college transfers in Olive-Harvey College guard Quentin Ruff (Elgin, Ill.) and Owens Community College guard Peter Firlik (Grand Rapids/Catholic Central) along with talented incoming prep standout De'qavion Johnson (Saginaw/Arthur Hill).

The trio will join another incoming freshman, forward Cole Walker (Elk Rapids), who previously inked with the Bulldogs during the fall signing period. Ruff will have two years of college eligibility remaining while Firlik has three seasons of competition left for the Bulldogs.

"We're extremely excited about this incoming class and what they will bring to our program," said FSU head coach Andy Bronkema, who wrapped up his second campaign at the Bulldog helm this past season with a 23-9 overall record. "We have a great nucleus coming back from this year's championship team and the additions of these outstanding individuals will help us continue to prosper in the years ahead."

The talented 6-0 Ruff averaged 18.4 points per game and shot nearly 50% from the floor this past season while leading Olive-Harvey College in Illinois to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament. A first-team All-Region IV choice and all-tourney MVP for head coach Duval Richardson, Ruff led his squad in scoring and made ranked as the national leader of all NJCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 schools with 134 made three-pointers. A two-time City Colleges of Chicago Player of the Week honoree, he played high school basketball at Larkin High School in Elgin for head coach Deryn Carter and was a two-time all-area and all-conference choice who led his team to a regional championship. Ruff also averaged four rebounds, three assists and two steals per game in 2014-15 as Olive-Harvey posted a 26-10 overall record and won a conference championship.

"We graduated 60 minutes of playing time at the one and two positions in our lineup and Quentin will help fill that opening," said Bronkema. "He is a high-level, efficient shooter with long range and his personality fits well with our returning team."

A West Michigan native, the 6-4 Firlik competed for Owens Community College this past season in Toledo and tallied 10 points and four rebounds a game while earning All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) honors for the Express, where he was guided by a pair of FSU basketball alums in head coach David Clarke and assistant coach Dennis Springs. The Grand Rapids Catholic Central product helped lead Owens to a 25-7 overall record and conference title with 55 three-pointers made following a highly-successful prep career under head coach TJ Meerman at Catholic Central. As a prepster, he averaged 17.4 points per game his senior season and was a two-time first team All-Ottawa Kent Gold Conference performer and all-state recipient. He played AAU basketball for ACB/Bank Hoops.

"It's always good when you can attract local talent," Bronkema said. "Peter is a big athletic guard that has the ability to score from all three levels of the floor. His high GPA and efficiency on the basketball court are a perfect fit for our approach."

Finally, Johnson helped guide one of the state's top prep programs in Saginaw Arthur Hill to a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class A State Runner-Up showing this past season. His squad compiled a 24-4 mark under head coach Greg McMath and Johnson also played under assistant coach Jason Holder, who's another FSU Basketball alum. He claimed All-Saginaw Valley League laurels as a versatile 6-5 forward and also earned National Honor Society accolades on the high school level. He competed in AAU hoops for the Saginaw Top Dawgs.

"De'qavion is a winner and a very unselfish player," said Bronkema. "He played his role to perfection for his high school team, leading them to the Class A State Championship game. His size, athleticism and ability to shoot make him an all-tool player who can impact the game in multiple ways."

Ferris State finished the 2014-15 campaign with a 23-9 overall record this past season. In addition to winning the GLIAC Tournament Championship this year, the Bulldogs' season was also highlighted by an NCAA Tournament appearance and several other accomplishments including a top 20 national ranking, a 15-game regular season win streak, an exhibition victory over NCAA Division I Bowling Green and signature wins such as the team's first-ever victory at Findlay's Croy Gymnasium. FSU also led the GLIAC in attendance during the regular season while senior guard Drew Lehman was named only the second All-American in the last 40 years for the Bulldogs.