VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State University men’s basketball team has finalized its recruiting class for the upcoming season. Head coach Ryan Montgomery has announced the signing of six new student-athletes for the 2019-20 season.
The group includes one sophomore transfer and five incoming freshmen. All have signed letters of intent to continue their education and basketball careers at VCSU this fall.
“We’re excited to welcome this group of guys into our program,” said Montgomery. “These are student-athletes we have identified as being a good fit for VCSU basketball but also for the VCSU community. We can’t wait to get them on campus and on the court.”
The Vikings are set to open the 2019-20 season on Oct. 18 with a game against Brandon University at Jamestown’s Newman Arena.
Chris Thompson – Guard – 6’5” – 205 lbs
Sophomore – Transfer from Bryant and Stratton College (Wis.)
Thompson averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game last season as he helped Bryant and Stratton College to a 25-8 record. He was named to the Region IV All-Tournament Team. Thompson played his high school ball at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School (Wis.) where he averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He graduated high school as the all-time steals leader and is second all-time in scoring at G-E-T. Thompson was a 4-time All-Conference Selection, 2-time All-State Honorable Mention and was also named the Conference Player of the Year.
“Chris is a tremendous addition for our program,” said Montgomery. “To sign a transfer player who has three years to play is huge. Chris will add another scoring option at the wing and also provide size in our back court. He is a great person and comes from a great family. Lastly, he has had great tutelage from Coach Majkrzak at Bryant and Stratton and Coach Wagner at G-E-T giving us confidence Chris will be ready for the upcoming season.”
Matthew Schlottman – Forward – 6’9” – 195 lbs
Freshman – Hastings High School (Minn.)
Schlottman averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game during his senior season at Hastings High School. He was a 2-time All-Conference selection in high school and was named to the 2019 4A Academic All-State Team.
“It’s not often that you can you identify a 6-foot-9 shooting forward, but we did that with landing Matt,” said Montgomery. “He can shoot it from anywhere on the floor, and he has the confidence to do it. We love his competitive nature and his love of basketball. Matt is a great student who comes from a great family, and we are excited to have them be a part of our basketball family.”
Will Tinjum – Forward – 6’6” – 210 lbs
Freshman – Chisago Lakes High School (Minn.)
Tinjum averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game as a senior at Chisago Lakes High School. Tinjum was a 2-time All-Conference selection and a 2-time Academic All-State selection.
“Smart and confident, those two words describe Will,” said Montgomery. “We love his upside and believe he is going to surprise people quickly. Will committed to us in the spring and had an immediate impact on our staff in regards to his maturity and IQ. He is a stat stuffer with great pedigree and family.”
Carter Cresap – Point Guard – 5’10” – 163 lbs
Freshman – Perham High School (Minn.)
Cresap averaged 13 points, five assists and four rebounds per game during his senior season at Perham High School. He helped Perham to an appearance at the 2018-19 Minnesota State Basketball Tournament and was a 2-time All-Conference selection. Cresap ranks fifth all-time for career 3-point percentage (47.1 percent) in Minnesota State High School League history.
“We are very excited about Carter,” Montgomery said. “We believe he has only scratched the surface of his potential. His shooting ability is second to none, and he has played a tremendous amount of basketball at a good level in Minnesota. Carter was coached by his father, Dave Cresap, who is a great coach at Perham High School and helped prepare Carter for college basketball. Both his parents, Dave and Teri, are VCSU alumni.”
Keaton Kvilvang – Guard – 6’2” – 175 lbs
Freshman – North Star High School (Cando, N.D.)
Kvilvang was named All-District and All-Region after averaging 19.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a senior at North Star High School. Academically, he is a member of the National Honor Society, was named to the District All-Academic Team and was named his school’s Salutatorian.
“The Kvilvang name is well known around Valley City, and Keaton with represent both names well,” said Montgomery. “Keaton has the tools to become a good college basketball player and will work hard to develop his game. He shoots it very well and will provide depth at our guard position. Keaton’s brother, Christian, was our lone senior last year and our experience with him was great. We expect the same with Keaton and we look forward to seeing his family in the stands once again.”
Kellen Hinsz – Guard – 6’1” – 175 lbs
Freshman – Barnesville High School (Minn.)
Hinsz averaged 16 points, five rebounds and three assists per game as a senior at Barnesville High School, and was named to the All-Conference Team.
“Kellen wants to be a college basketball player,” said Montgomery. “He has a strong desire to play at our level and this will carry him a long ways. Kellen does a lot of things really well and plays with a chip on his shoulder. We always try to identify players like Kellen in our recruiting classes. He will be an important contributor to our success this season.