Western Michigan University head basketball coach Clayton Bates had his hands full following the 2020 season. After a crazy offseason, where Western Michigan University basketball saw numerous players transfer out of the program, the Broncos reloaded, adding seven new players via both high school signings and the NCAA transfer portal. BroncoBlitz put together a get to know article for the new incoming players ahead of the 2021-2022 season. (Some information taken from WMU basketball press releases)
Cameron Kimble is a 6-foot-4 guard from Las Vegas, where he attended Clark High School. While in high school, Kimble scored 536 points, averaging 12.4 per game while shooting a career 44 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the three-point line. The 6-4 guard also shot 78 percent from the free-throw line and averaged 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
"We are excited to welcome Cam to Kalamazoo and the Bronco Basketball Family," Bronco head coach Clayton Bates said in a press release. "Cam is a long and versatile athlete that handles the ball well and is an outstanding perimeter shooter."
We caught up with Kimble and asked why he chose WMU?
"I chose WMU because I felt like they were first staff that not only wanted me as a player but also a person," Kimble said. "When I went on a virtual visit, it was almost like I was already a part of the family. It’s great to have a staff full of people who care about you beyond basketball and can be almost your second family of sorts."
Kimble said he was getting recruited from many prep schools such as Prolific Prep as well as Division 1 schools such as the University of San Diego and Alabama State. Kimble said his biggest form of recruitment at the time was coming from JUCO and NAIA schools such as William Penn, University of the Cumberlands and College of the Sequoias.
Kimble added that he would describe his game as a Swiss Army Knife.
"I can do a little thing of everything for the team," Kimble said. "Almost like a glue guy."
Mack Smith, a 6-2 senior guard, spent the last four seasons at Eastern Illinois University where he had 100 starts and scored 1,339 points, averaging 12.5 per game. Smith set the NCAA record for most consecutive games with a made three-pointer (91) during his senior year.
"Mack will provide perimeter scoring and veteran leadership to our team. He has played over 100 games at the Division I level and is a talented offensive player," Bronco head coach Clayton Bates said in a press release. "We pursued Mack from the time he entered the portal and are excited he is now a Bronco."
Smith talked about why he chose the Broncos.
"New beginnings. It felt like this was the place to be. My gut feeling kept leading me right here," Smith said. "I saw some of the campus and just gave me real college vibes. Something I always dreamed of."
Smith also talked about head coach Clayton Bates.
"Coach Bates is a cool coach and I know he’s going to challenge me and get me to where I want to be in my career," Smith said. "I haven’t been coached by him yet but I am really looking forward to it. We have had good talks and he has my best interest (in mind)."
Mileek McMillan, a senior forward, spent the past four seasons at Valparaiso University. While at Valpo, McMillan played in 121 games, starting 66 and averaged 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
"We welcome Mileek McMillan to the Bronco family with great enthusiasm. Mileek is a versatile offensive player who can score in a variety of ways. He brings both experience and physicality to the defensive end of the floor as well," Bronco head coach Clayton Bates said in a press release.. "He has been extremely well coached in both high school and the collegiate level. Mileek will bring a veteran presence to our roster with 121 career games played and 66 starts."
Markeese Hastings is a 6-7, 190-pound redshirt sophomore from Wyoming, Mich. Hastings played his first two seasons at Butler University. Last season, Hastings played in eight games for the Bulldogs, averaging 9.5 minutes per game and grabbing 2.0 rebounds.
"It's with great excitement that we announced the addition of Markeese Hastings to our program. We recruited Markeese extremely hard out of high school and we were eager to pursue him once he entered the portal," Bronco head coach Clayton Bates said in a press release. "He had tremendous success at Godwin Heights in Grand Rapids and was able to gain valuable experience at Butler. Markeese addresses a position of need for our program and we are extremely excited that he is a Bronco."
Hastings went to Godwin Heights High School where he was a Michigan Associated Press Class B All-State Second-Team selection.
Lamar Norman Jr, is a 6-foot-3 junior guard from Grand Rapids, Mich. Norman Jr. played prep ball at Godwin Heights where he is the school's all-time leading scorer.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Lamar Norman to our basketball family. Lamar is an outstanding young man who will bring a veteran presence to our program," Bronco head coach Clayton Bates said in a press release. "He is a terrific perimeter shooter and brings toughness to the defensive end of the floor. Lamar comes from a winning high school program at Godwin Heights in Grand Rapids and has shown the ability to succeed on winning teams at the college level while at Duquesne."
Norman played in 61 games, starting 25 over his two-plus seasons at Duquesne. While at Duquesne, Norman Jr. scored over 300 points.
Gus Etchison is an incoming freshman from Arcadia, Ind. and played at Hamilton Heights High School.
"We are thrilled to welcome Gus to our basketball family.," Bronco head coach Clayton Bates said in a press release.. "Gus is a talented guard with a great scoring ability. Gus is an athletic play-maker. He can play on or off the ball and will fit extremely well into our system."
Etchison holds single-game high school records for points (56), field goals made (19), three-pointers made (7) and free-throws made (11). Etchison also owns the school record for most points in a single-season with 623, breaking his own record of 548 points during his sophomore campaign.
Etchison was recruited by the likes of Ball State, IUPUI, Purdue, Miami of Ohio, Oakland and Marquette and said he chose WMU because he loved the coaching staff and how they made him feel like family right away.
When asked how he described himself as a player, Etchison said he's an athletic point guard who has good court vision and can shoot from anywhere, as well as a fierce competitor who would do anything to win.
Owen Lobsinger is a 6-8, 220-pound incoming freshman from Flint, Mich. Lobsinger played at Flint Powers Catholic High School.
"We are thrilled to welcome Owen to the Bronco Basketball family," Bronco head coach Clayton Bates said in a press release. "Owen is a talented and versatile forward. Owen is a great shooter who can stretch the defense and is extremely skilled. At 6'8" Owen also brings the ability to play multiple positions."
Lobsinger, who received offers from the likes of Toledo and Central Michigan said he chose WMU because they showed lots of love and they really cared about him as a person, not just a player.
Lobsinger also describes himself as a skilled player who can play multiple positions.
