MBB | Bennett Announces Signing of Five Gaels For Next Season
4/23/2020 9:39:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's men's basketball head coach Randy Bennett announced the signing of sophomore center Matthew van Komen to a National Letter of Intent today. The signing of van Komen adds to the incoming class for the 2020-21 season, giving the Gaels five newcomers for next year.
The Gaels signed three during the November signing period, including forward Judah Brown, guard Jabe Mullins and forward Mitchell Saxen, and one last offseason in Estonian Leemet Bockler.
"This class of incoming student-athletes is a special group. They all have high character and are extremely strong in the classroom," Bennett said. "This group will have a major impact not only on the court but across the entire campus as well."
Here is a breakdown of the five newcomers for next year in alphabetical order:
Leemet Bockler
6-6 | Guard | Tallinn, Estonia (Tal Tech/Kalev)
Originally from Tallinn, Estonia, Bockler played last season for Tal Tech/Kalev in the PAF Latvian Estonian League. Bockler was the highest scoring 18-year-old in the league, averaging 13.5 points on 40-percent shooting from 3-point range and shot 95-percent (44-for-46) from the free throw line. Bockler grew up playing basketball with current Gael Matthias Tass in Estonia.
"Leemet is a very good shooter and scorer at the guard position," Bennett said. "His size and athleticism will help him be an impact player at this level."
Judah Brown
6-8 | Forward | Bermuda Dunes, Calif. (Pacifica Christian HS)
Originally from Bermuda Dunes, Calif., Brown attended Pacific Christian High School. Brown averaged team-best totals of 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for the Tritons. Pacifica Christian shared the San Joaquin League title, which was the first league crown in the Tritons' four varsity seasons. Brown was named to the All-CIF Division 2A team following his senior year.
"Due to his athleticism and work ethic, Judah has a chance to be a very good wing player in our system," Bennett said. "He will be a great fit on and off the court in our program."
Jabe Mullins
6-5 | Guard | Snoqualmie, Wash. (Mount Si HS)
Originally from Snoqualmie, Wash., Mullins attended Mount Si High School. Mullins led his high school team to the 4A state championship and was named the All-Classifications Washington State player of year, along with 4A state player of the year. Mullins averaged over 20 points per game his senior season.
"Jabe is a great fit for everything that we do at Saint Mary's. He is skilled, a good athlete, and has a great feel for the game," Bennett said. "His shooting ability and size for his position will make an immediate impact in our program. His leadership will be very valuable to our program in the coming years."
Mitchell Saxen
6-10 | Forward | Seattle, Wash. (Ingraham International School)
Originally from Seattle, Wash., Saxen was ranked as a three-star center and ranked as the No. 5 senior in the state according to 247Sports.com. Following his junior season, Saxen was named All-Metro First Team. He averaged a double-double his sophomore and junior seasons.
"Mitch is a very high IQ basketball player. His feel for the game combined with his size as a forward will help us as an inside player immediately," Bennett said.
Matthew van Komen
7-4 | Center | Pleasant Grove, Utah (Pleasant Grove HS / University of Utah)
Coming out of high school in Utah, he was ranked as a four-star player and the No. 2 recruit in Utah by ESPN. He was also tabbed one of the top-20 centers in the nation according to ESPN. Van Komen was a 2018 first team all-state selection in high school.
Saw limited action as a freshman at the University of Utah, playing in nine games … made collegiate debut against Mississippi Valley State, scoring 12 points with 6 rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting.
"Matt is a key addition to our program, he will help us at the center position both offensively and defensively," Bennett said. "His ability to block shots and score on the post will benefit us a great deal. We are excited to develop him into a very good center."
#GaelsRise — Join the Season Ticket Waitlist today to be part of the 2020-21 season by clicking HERE. Current season ticket holders can renew their seats HERE and logging in at the top of the page. Email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu with questions.
The Gaels signed three during the November signing period, including forward Judah Brown, guard Jabe Mullins and forward Mitchell Saxen, and one last offseason in Estonian Leemet Bockler.
"This class of incoming student-athletes is a special group. They all have high character and are extremely strong in the classroom," Bennett said. "This group will have a major impact not only on the court but across the entire campus as well."
Here is a breakdown of the five newcomers for next year in alphabetical order:
Leemet Bockler
6-6 | Guard | Tallinn, Estonia (Tal Tech/Kalev)
Originally from Tallinn, Estonia, Bockler played last season for Tal Tech/Kalev in the PAF Latvian Estonian League. Bockler was the highest scoring 18-year-old in the league, averaging 13.5 points on 40-percent shooting from 3-point range and shot 95-percent (44-for-46) from the free throw line. Bockler grew up playing basketball with current Gael Matthias Tass in Estonia.
"Leemet is a very good shooter and scorer at the guard position," Bennett said. "His size and athleticism will help him be an impact player at this level."
Judah Brown
6-8 | Forward | Bermuda Dunes, Calif. (Pacifica Christian HS)
Originally from Bermuda Dunes, Calif., Brown attended Pacific Christian High School. Brown averaged team-best totals of 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for the Tritons. Pacifica Christian shared the San Joaquin League title, which was the first league crown in the Tritons' four varsity seasons. Brown was named to the All-CIF Division 2A team following his senior year.
"Due to his athleticism and work ethic, Judah has a chance to be a very good wing player in our system," Bennett said. "He will be a great fit on and off the court in our program."
Jabe Mullins
6-5 | Guard | Snoqualmie, Wash. (Mount Si HS)
Originally from Snoqualmie, Wash., Mullins attended Mount Si High School. Mullins led his high school team to the 4A state championship and was named the All-Classifications Washington State player of year, along with 4A state player of the year. Mullins averaged over 20 points per game his senior season.
"Jabe is a great fit for everything that we do at Saint Mary's. He is skilled, a good athlete, and has a great feel for the game," Bennett said. "His shooting ability and size for his position will make an immediate impact in our program. His leadership will be very valuable to our program in the coming years."
Mitchell Saxen
6-10 | Forward | Seattle, Wash. (Ingraham International School)
Originally from Seattle, Wash., Saxen was ranked as a three-star center and ranked as the No. 5 senior in the state according to 247Sports.com. Following his junior season, Saxen was named All-Metro First Team. He averaged a double-double his sophomore and junior seasons.
"Mitch is a very high IQ basketball player. His feel for the game combined with his size as a forward will help us as an inside player immediately," Bennett said.
Matthew van Komen
7-4 | Center | Pleasant Grove, Utah (Pleasant Grove HS / University of Utah)
Coming out of high school in Utah, he was ranked as a four-star player and the No. 2 recruit in Utah by ESPN. He was also tabbed one of the top-20 centers in the nation according to ESPN. Van Komen was a 2018 first team all-state selection in high school.
Saw limited action as a freshman at the University of Utah, playing in nine games … made collegiate debut against Mississippi Valley State, scoring 12 points with 6 rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting.
"Matt is a key addition to our program, he will help us at the center position both offensively and defensively," Bennett said. "His ability to block shots and score on the post will benefit us a great deal. We are excited to develop him into a very good center."
#GaelsRise — Join the Season Ticket Waitlist today to be part of the 2020-21 season by clicking HERE. Current season ticket holders can renew their seats HERE and logging in at the top of the page. Email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu with questions.
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