Wayne State College men’s basketball coach Paul Combs has announced his first recruiting class as Wildcat head coach. The group of eight players includes four high school players and four transfers that include one walk on. The 2009 recruiting class includes high school standouts James Chute of Tring, UK, Mike DiGregorio of Morton Grove, Illinois, Tanner Ferguson of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, and Amry Shelby of Marion, Iowa along with transfers Jason Jensen of St. Francis, Wisconsin, Andre Miller of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Spencer Paulsen of Coloma, Michigan, and Brad Starken of Muskego, Wisconsin.
“Our program feels very fortunate to be bringing in such quality student-athletes who will be an excellent fit here at Wayne State in the classroom, on the court as well as in the community of Wayne,” remarked Coach Combs. “We have a good balance of true freshmen and transfers which will provide us excellent depth throughout the year.”
James Chute is a 6-4, 195 pound guard from Tring, UK. Playing for the West Herts Warriors Basketball Academy in an under 18 national league, Chute averaged 21 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game while shooting 62 percent from the field and 80 percent at the free throw stripe. “James has excellent athleticism and a college body which will allow him to compete immediately,” said Combs. “He is also very humble and appreciative of his opportunity to become a Wildcat.”
Mike DiGregorio is a 6-1, 175 pound point guard from Notre Dame High School in Niles, Illinois where he was a three-year starter, averaging 14 points, 6.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game as a senior to earn All-Conference and All-Area honors while being named team MVP. “Mike brings to the table a toughness and work ethic second to nobody,” remarked Combs. “He played in a first-class high school program against great competition throughout his career.”
Tanner Ferguson is a 6-2, 195 pound shooting guard from Sioux City (Iowa) Heelan High School. He was a three-year starter for the Crusaders, helping the team win the Iowa Class 3A State Title as a senior. Ferguson holds the single season (65) and career (123) marks for three pointers and was 57-6 as a three year starter while earning First Team All-District honors as a senior. “We feel fortunate to have Tanner in our program,” commented Combs. “He has a championship mentality to go along with a motor and work ethic that will be very contagious to the entire program.”
Amry Shelby is a 5-10, 155 pound guard from Marion High School in Iowa. He averaged 24.3 points per game during his senior season to help Marion HS reach the Iowa Class 3A State Tournament for the first time in 52 years. Shelby was a First Team Class 3A All-State selection as a senior and earned Second Team All-State honors as a junior while also collecting Academic All-Conference recognition. “Amry had an exceptional senior season and was able to score and lead his team in many different ways,” stated Combs. “He will provide us necessary depth at the guard position and has had a great summer preparing for life in the NSIC.”
Jason Jensen, a 6-4, 190 pound guard, transfers to Wayne State after playing last season at Division I Texas-Pan American. The St. Francis, Wisconsin native averaged 25.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as a senior in high school to earn Third Team All-State honors in Wisconsin and scored 1,589 points in his high school career. “Jason is a very hungry young man who is anxious to be competing in the NSIC,” Coach Combs said. “He fits our needs and will be an excellent addition to our team.”
Andre Miller, a 6-7, 200 pound forward, is transferring to Wayne State after two seasons at Wabash Valley Junior College in Illinois. Miller started all 31 games for his team last season that was 21-10, averaging 7.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. “Andre has a huge upside as he is still growing into his body after an excellent career at Wabash Valley,” stated Combs. “He will fit in very well here at WSC on and off the court.”
Spencer Paulsen is a 6-2, 185 pound guard who is a walk on after playing at Alpena Community College in Michigan. The younger brother of WSC graduate assistant coach Paige Paulsen, Spencer averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game last season. “Spencer comes from a basketball family. Our staff is looking forward to working with Spencer as he is also very strong in the classroom with a 3.97 overall grade point average,” said Combs.
Brad Starken, a 6-5, 200 pound forward, comes to Wayne State after playing last season at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa. He averaged 13.2 points, 4.84 rebounds and 1.68 steals per game while shooting 50 percent from the three point line to rank sixth in the nation. “We are excited about Brad and what he brings to this team,” added Combs. “His basketball IQ is very high and he has come to WSC with a lot to prove.”
Wayne State returns three starters off last year’s team that finished 11-16 overall and 7-13 in the Northern Sun Conference. The Wildcats open the 2009-10 season at home on Sunday, November 15th against Buena Vista University.