State Champion & Big Scorer Join Top JUCO Defensive Player To Complete Ferris State Recruiting Class
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball program has announced the names of three additional student-athletes in the school's incoming 2015 recruiting class as the Bulldogs completed a stellar group on the heels of a championship campaign.
Ferris State, which won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship and reached the NCAA-II Tournament this past year, recently added talented junior college transfer forward Mamadou Ba (Ypsilanti) from Lansing Community College along with prep wing Greg Williams (Canton) and point guard Jason Loera (Muskegon).
The three additions complete a class that includes four earlier additions, including 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 standouts De'qavion Johnson (Saginaw/Arthur Hill) and Cole Walker (Elk Rapids).
"Our staff has done a wonderful job of recruiting young men that fit our university and our basketball needs," said FSU head coach Andy Bronkema, who led the Bulldogs to a 13-win improvement in his second season at the Bulldog helm this past winter. "We believe mixing this group of newcomers and the redshirts already in our program with the four seniors and the others we have returning will give us the opportunity to compete at a high level.
"This class also knows how to win as they combined to lead their teams to a 154-46 mark this past season," he added.
The 6-5 Ba played in 34 games for Lansing Community College this past season under legendary head coach Mike Ingram, who owns more than 500 career wins. He averaged 12.1 points per game and shot better than 51% from the floor with nearly 10 rebounds and two blocks an outing on the JUCO level. The Ypsilanti native was the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a All-MCCAA selection as LCC won both conference and regional championships to advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament where they placed eighth in the country.
This past year, Ba started all 34 games while playing more than 20 minutes per contest for a team that compiled a 25-11 overall record. The MCCAA First Team All-Defensive Team pick placed third in NJCAA Region 12 in rebounding and sixth in blocked shots. He previously played under head coach Steve Brooks at Ypsilanti High School and competed on the AAU level with the F.I.S.T and Dorian's Pride squads.
"Mo brings a level of physicality to our program that has been missing," said Bronkema. "He is an elite rebounder and versatile defender. Mo has the ability to contribute to our team right away and we are excited about how he will fit in with our returners."
Meanwhile, the 6-3 Williams averaged 21.5 points along with 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game on the prep level for Canton High School in the 2014-15 campaign. The talented wing shot 46% from three-point range and better than 54% overall from the floor while claiming All-State accolades from both the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. The all-conference honoree was also a Detroit Free Press All-Metro West First Team honoree as a senior.
During his prep career under head coach Jim Reddy, Williams was a four-year starter and two-time captain who also claimed Most Valuable Player Award laurels. He also served for three years as the school's starting quarterback on the gridiron and was a two-year captain. Williams played AAU basketball for the Michigan Mustangs and continues a pipeline to Canton that most recently included Dietrich Lever, who wrapped up his four-year career as the starting point guard on FSU's league championship team this past season.
"Greg is a real diamond in the rough," Bronkema said. "His combination of size, skill and athleticism make him a tough match up for anyone. Greg has the personality to be a leader for us and his future as a Bulldog is bright."
Finally, Loera becomes the latest in a long line of players from the Muskegon area to join the Bulldog program over the past decade. The 5-10 point guard prepped at Muskegon High School under former Ferris State guard Keith Guy and claimed Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team recognition this past year while averaging seven points, four assists, three rebounds and both a steal and a block per contest. Loera also was an all-conference choice in the OK Black and was the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player.
As a senior, Loera played a pivotal role as Muskegon posted a 23-2 overall mark and he received all-area accolades. He helped the Big Reds to the 2014 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class A State Championship and competed on the AAU level for the West Michigan Lakers.
"Jason is a winner and a competitor, who will provide our team with toughness and depth at the guard position," said Bronkema. "The city of Muskegon has a rich basketball tradition and we are excited to have another Muskegon player on our roster."
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.