UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball head coach Randy Baruth has announced the incoming 2022 recruiting class. The Cardinals are bringing in six newcomers to the team, including five from the state of Michigan. Baruth will be entering his 11th season as head coach of SVSU in 2022-23.
Below are the incoming student-athletes for SVSU men's basketball.
Elvis Machul Jr. #15 (6-0, 180, Saginaw, MI / Arthur Hill HS
"Being from the city of Saginaw, I have been able to watch the program and have always loved the culture that Coach Baruth has in place. Every time I was on campus, it felt so comfortable and felt like home- because it is my home. SVSU is also a great opportunity for me to give back to my community. I'm excited to be a part of the Brotherhood!"
The local product from Saginaw prepped at Arthur Hill High School. He was twice named Saginaw Valley League Second Team All-Conference. Machul Jr. also earned Honorable Mention All-SVL once and was named First Team All-Conference his senior year. He was also his class valedictorian.
SVSU Head Coach Randy Baruth on Elvis:
"Elvis is someone we think is a great fit with our culture. He has toughness, a high work ethic, and is academically focused. His ability to shoot the ball from deep will be a great asset. Elvis is a gym rat, blue-collar worker and we're excited to keep him in Saginaw at play at SVSU."
Ethan Hill #23 (6-8, 200, Muskegon, MI / Muskegon HS)
"I'm really excited about joining the Cardinal Family. Even though I had some Division 1 offers, every time I visited campus, I felt like I was at home. I love the facilities and the coaching staff always kept it real with me during the process. As well, I felt academically it was a good fit for me to earn a great degree."
Hill played his high school basketball at Muskegon High School, where he was named MHSAA Division I Honorable Mention All-State his senior year.
SVSU Head Coach Randy Baruth on Ethan:
"Ethan has tremendous versatility with his size and length, and it is rare to find a 6-8 forward as skilled as Ethan. Not only can he stretch the defense to 3, but he is also a great passer and has the ability to rebound and lead the break. With our strength program and player development, we feel like Ethan has big-time upside as he continues to put the work in!"
Evan Booker #55 (5-11, 170, Saginaw, MI / Arthur Hill HS)
"Being a part of the basketball program has always been a dream of mine. I've been able to see my older brother grow and develop at SVSU, and every time I am around him and the team, it feels like a family. I love the environment and culture, and being close to home will be great too. I think it's a great place for me to improve as a player and a young man. Go Cards!"
Booker played alongside Machul Jr. at Arthur Hill High School. The Saginaw, Mich., native was named First Team All-SVL and Third Team All-State his senior year. He joins his brother, sophomore LB Booker on the team this year.
SVSU Head Coach Randy Baruth on Evan:
"Evan is an extremely quick guard with the ability to push the ball up the floor and be a pest defensively. He shoots the ball well and is a tough competitor. Evan comes from a great family and we are excited to have him a part of our program!"
Chansey Willis Jr. #2 (6-2, 185, Detroit, MI / Martin Luther King Jr HS)
"I am extremely excited about being a Cardinal and playing at SVSU. The coaching staff recruited me hard and we developed a great relationship throughout the whole process by them just being real and honest with me and my family. The emphasis they placed on my academics and graduation was important. Getting to know the guys on the team and the culture they have in place, I knew it was the best fit for me over any of the other schools that offered and were recruiting me."
The Detroit King High School graduate had an outstanding high school senior season. Willis Jr. was named Michigan's Mr. Basketball after averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. He was also named Division I Michigan Player of the Year by the Associated Press and earned First Team All-State honors.
SVSU Head Coach Randy Baruth on Chansey:
"Chansey is a special player and a special kid. Being named Mr. PSL, Michigan's Gatorade Player of the Year, and Michigan's Mr. Basketball, and averaging nearly a triple-double in the Detroit Public School League (PSL), it speaks for itself on how talented he is. He will come in as the most decorated freshmen recruit in SVSU and GLIAC history, but you would never know how humble and team-oriented he is. We see him as a playmaking guard who can rebound, lead the break, and make the right play- whether that's scoring it or dishing it. He is a winner in all aspects of life and we're really looking forward to welcoming him and his family to our program."
CLICK HERE to see ABC12 News Story on Chansey Willis Jr. signing with SVSU
Jiovanni Miles #0 (6-3, 185, Novi, Mich. / Macomb Community College)
"When I first visited SVSU, it felt like home. I knew some of the guys on the team and in talking with them, they gave me confidence that this was the best fit for me and my game due to how the coaching staff would use me. I am really excited about joining the Cardinal program and continuing to develop my game and earn my degree."
Miles comes to SVSU from Macomb Community College. The Novi, Mich., native appeared in 30 games for the Monarchs last season, averaging 15 points per game and shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from 3-point range. Prior to attending Macomb, Miles attended the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he appeared in seven games during the 2019-20 season as a freshman.
SVSU Head Coach Randy Baruth on Jiovanni:
"We are excited to have Jio and his family join the SVSU Basketball program. Jio has athleticism, IQ, and a great feel for the game. He is someone who will be able to come in and immediately help us with his shot-making ability. We also see Jio as a leader of our group next year. He has played at the Division 1 level before and comes from a great program at Macomb with Coach Niz, so we know he will be ready to go."
Ben Tew #10 (6-9, 230, Cheshire, England / Snow College)
"I chose SVSU because I felt a real sense of being wanted by the coaching staff. I felt that the coaches were really thorough with the scouting, knowing exactly how I would fit into the system and what I could do for the team. I am excited to be a Cardinal and can't wait to get to work!"
Tew is also a transfer from Snow College in Utah. The native of England appeared in five games last season and posted a career-high 12 points. He plans to major in exercise science at SVSU.
SVSU Head Coach Randy Baruth on Ben:
"Ben has a great combination of size, athleticism, and skill. He has developed his perimeter shot over the past few years and will be a strong presence in the post- both on offense and defense. We see him as someone who will be an anchor for our front court and we think he will bring a great deal of toughness and competitiveness that fits our culture so well."
2022-23 Season Outlook:
The Cardinals are coming off a season in which they finished 19-11 overall and 12-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. SVSU earned the GLIAC South Division title and advanced to the semifinals of the GLIAC Tournament.
SVSU returns 12 players to the roster this year, including Maurice Barnett, who averaged 11.4 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game in 14 games played. Also returning for the Cardinals is Freddie McIntosh, who started 16 games last season and averaged 6.1 points, and Tre Garrett who posted 7.0 points per game and 1.6 steals per game, which ranked third in the GLIAC. Also returning for the Cardinals will be Tyrik Singh, Jarno Pomstra, Steven Post, LB Booker, Gabe Hawes, and Alijah Harrison who all saw action last year for SVSU in various roles. After redshirting in 2021-22, Trip Riemersma and Kevonne Taylor will look to make an impact with the Cardinals this season.
On the bench for Coach Baruth this year will be assistant coaches Tommy Twardecki, Barry Huckeby, and Mark Stevens.