NDSCS Men's Basketball Players Moving On

WAHPETON, ND - Four NDSCS men's basketball players have signed on to continue their athletic and academic careers at four-year institutions. These four players were instrumental in leading the Wildcats to a record breaking season for wins (31-2). The Wildcats were Mon-Dak Conference Champs (12-0), Region XIII Champions, and finished as Runner-Up in District XI. NDSCS ranked in the Top-15 nationally in total points (3,154), points per game (95.6), made FG per game (35), 3PT made per game (12), 3PT attempted per game (29.7), 3PT percentage (40.3), FT percentage (75), and assists per game (19.5).

James Batemon III (So.), a point guard from Milwaukee, WI, has signed to continue his career at Loyola Marymount University, a member of the West Coast Conference, in Los Angeles, CA. James followed up a great freshman season, in which he earned Honorable Mention All-American honors, with a 2nd Team All-American selection in his sophomore campaign. James was the driving force for the NDSCS offensive attack as he led the Wildcats in scoring and assists at 20.8 and 5.7 per game. Batemon was named Mon-Dak Conference MVP and selected to play in the 2017 NJCAA Coaches Association All-Star game in Las Vegas, NV where he earned the Sportsmanship Award.

Austin, MN native and sharp shooting wing Gach Gach (So.) has signed with West Texas A&M, of the Lone Star Conference, in Canyon, TX. Gach was the second leading scorer for NDSCS, scoring 15.9 points per game while shooting 40.7 percent from beyond the three point arc. Gach was a consistent threat from the perimeter as he finished the season with 132 three-point field goals made, which ranked second in the country. Gach was a First Team All-Conference selection.

Big man Jake Johnson (So.), St. Francis, MN, is one of two Wildcats set to continue his career in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. He is signed to play at Minnesota State University – Moorhead, in Moorhead, MN. Jake utilized his versatility on offense to average 13.1 points per game for the Wildcats, while shooting 56.8 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from distance. Johnson was a Second Team All-Conference selection during his lone season at NDSCS.

The second Wildcat poised to finish his career in the Northern Sun is guard Elliot Kane (So.), Minneapolis, MN, who has committed to Concordia University – St. Paul, in St. Paul, MN. Kane was a key player for the Wildcats off the bench, averaging 8.8 points per game and leading the team in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9). Elliot was also a reliable three point option for NDSCS as he finished second on the team with 66 three point field goals made and converted at a 40.5 percent clip.