UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — Charles Kage Jr. has signed an NCAA National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Saginaw Valley State University. The Gabriel Richard Catholic High School (Riverview, Michigan) star will join Coach Randy Baruth's program beginning with the 2025-26 season.
Kage will be listed on SVSU's roster as a 6'8" forward. Over the past year, he has emerged as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the NY2LA Association while playing with The Academy. During his junior season, Kage averaged 9.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and was named to the 2023-24 All-News-Herald Boys Basketball Second Team. His Pioneers squad made it to the Division 3 semi-finals before losing to Detroit Old Redford. As a result of the tournament run, Kage was named to the All-Catholic Team for the CHSL (Catholic High School League) and made the Detroit Free Press Division 3 Second Team. In addition, his prep team awarded Kage the Impact Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year team awards.
Kage counts his play against Romulus Summit High School as his most productive single game last season, grabbing 8 rebounds, recording 4 blocked shots just in the first half, and finishing the game with a double-double in points and rebounds. His goals for his senior season at Gabriel Richard include "finishing what we started last year by winning the state championship" and once again earning all-catholic-league honors.
Kage showed early interest in SVSU when he attended a summer prospect camp as a sophomore, which introduced him to SVSU's modern campus and nationally ranked on-campus housing.
"I've always liked Coach Baruth and the athletic facilities at SVSU," Kage said. "The SVSU players made me feel welcome during my campus visit, and I liked that Coach Baruth was very involved in practices, which I believe is what I will need to develop into a solid college player.
"After that, I just want to win and help my team any way I can," Kage said. "I just want to get on the court and get better every day."
Kage's varsity coach at Gabriel Richard, Kris Daiek, noted his star's impressive blend of speed and skills in the paint.
"Charles is very fast and has good touch around the basket," Daiek said. "He is a heck of a rebounder and a very good defender."
Baruth, who is in his 13th year at SVSU, said, "Our staff has always enjoyed watching Charles compete over the years. He has really grown and matured as a young man, a student, and an athlete. He is an unselfish, defensive-minded big man, with strong hands and a good frame – all qualities we look for in our forwards. We really look forward to Charles continuing to develop in our program."
Kage plans to major in business at SVSU, with a career goal as an entrepreneur. He is the son of Chris and Laura Weiner.
Kage will join a Cardinal program that is off to a 3-2 start in its pre-GLIAC schedule. All-GLIAC honoree Freddie McIntosh and leading scorer Toodles Seal (16.6 ppg) are leading SVSU, which hosts GLIAC rival Grand Valley State University on Thursday night. The game tips off at 7:30 pm in the James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena. For tickets, visit https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/13940/svsu-athletic-complex.