Bearcats Add Eight Freshmen to Men's Basketball for 2015-16

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Looking to build off a successful Northwest Conference season that led to an NWC Tournament berth this past spring, Willamette University men's basketball Head Coach Kip Ioane has announced the 2015-16 recruiting class for the Bearcats. A total of eight freshmen will be joining the Bearcats this fall.

The recruiting class features three players from California, two from Oregon and one each from Washington, Montana and Colorado. Including returning athletes, the Bearcats have 23 players on the varsity and junior varsity rosters.

Willamette finished the 2014-15 season with a 10-16 overall record, including 8-8 in the NWC. After starting the season 2-9, including four losses without leading scorer Brandon Luedtke (F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS), the Bearcats went 8-6 during the rest of the regular season. Luedtke will be senior this year. WU lost to regular season champion Whitworth University in the semifinals of the NWC Tournament.

Here is the Willamette men's basketball recruiting class for 2015-16:

Cameron Browning (6'3", Wing, Mountain View, CA/The King's Academy)
Browning was named Honorable Mention All-West Bay Athletic League as a player at The King's Academy. He averaged 14.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. The Knights defeated North Monterey County in three overtimes in the first round of the CIF Central Coast Sectional, before losing to Menlo School in the second round.

Coach Ioane on Cameron:
"Cam brings a physical dimension to the game we really like. He can guard a number of positions and we love the passion he plays with."

Trent Callan (5'11", G, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS)
Callan ended his senor season as a First Team All-Portland Interscholastic League selection. He helped lead Lincoln High School into the first round of the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Class 6A playoffs. Callan's contributions helped Lincoln go 16-9 overall, including 11-4 in the PIL. Callan will be the second Lincoln player on the WU roster, as he joins former teammate Matt Peeler Billingsley (So., G., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS).

Coach Ioane on Trent:
"Trent plays with no fear. To be a First Team player in a league as good as the PIL is a tremendous honor, and we know the type of competitor we are getting with him."

Evan Grainger (6'0", G, Boulder, CO/Fairview HS)
Grainger joins the Bearcats after competing at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. This past season, he averaged 6.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game as a guard for the Knights. He played in all 24 games.

Coach Ioane on Evan:
"Evan has a high hoops IQ, can play all three perimeter spots, and he grabbed 65 rebounds as a guard last year. We like that toughness and are excited to add it to our mix."

Jordan Jenkins (6'5", Wing, Placentia, CA/Valencia HS)
Jenkins provided 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game at Valencia High School this past season. He helped lead Valencia to a 24-5 overall record, as the Tigers advanced to the third round of the CIF Southern Sectional. In addition to playing wing for the Bearcat basketball squad, Jenkins will be a pitcher for the Willamette baseball team.

Coach Ioane on Jordan:
"Jordan's versatility is very intriguing ... he can play three different spots on the floor, and is very unselfish. We're very excited to get him on campus and work with him."

Caleb Roberts (6'4", Wing, Salem, OR/North Salem HS)
Roberts played for the Vikings at nearby North Salem High School. He was chosen Third Team All-Greater Valley Conference in 2014-15 after earning Honorable Mention recognition as a junior.

Coach Ioane on Caleb:
"Caleb has the ability to grow into a tremendous shooter and defender for us. His length and range on his shot will add depth for us immediately."

Jeff Sutherland (6'5", F, Seattle, WA/Seattle Christian HS)
Sutherland attended Seattle Christian High School, where he averaged approximately seven points per game this past season. He also competed in track and field. He is fifth on Seattle Christian's record list in the shot put at 36' 4".

Coach Ioane on Jeff:
"I really think Jeff has a bright future for us. Obviously, coming from a smaller school there will be a learning curve for him ... but he has the tools to develop in to a solid player."

CJ Walker (6'6", F, Bellflower, CA/Mayfair HS)
Walker averaged 4.3 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game for traditional basketball power Mayfair High School in California. He helped Mayfair attain a 15-13 overall record. The Monsoons defeated Camarillo in the first round of the CIF Southern Sectional before losing to Walnut in the second round.

Coach Ioane on CJ:

"CJ is tall and long. Once he gets accustomed to our lifting program and style of play, he has a chance to be a vital piece for our team going forward."

Jameson Willems (6'6", F, Billings, MT/Skyview HS)
Willems shot 54% from the field while helping Skyview High School win its first ever Montana State Championship. Skyview finished the season with a 19-5 overall record. Coach Ioane at Willamette also is a graduate of Skyview. Ioane received his diploma in 1997.

Coach Ioane on Jameson:
"We think Jameson's experience of being a vital part on a winning team and his willingness to do a number of different jobs on the court give him a chance to compete at a high level here."