Wolverines Add Bajema, Wilson During Early NLI Signing Period
11/14/2018 9:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Basketball Head Coach John Beilein announced Wednesday (Nov. 14) the signing of guard Cole Bajema (Lynden, Washington) and forward Jalen Wilson (Denton, Texas) to National Letters of Intent to join the Wolverines for the 2019-20 academic year.
A three-year varsity player, Bajema ("badge-ah-ma") is a 6-foot-7 Seattle-area guard who has helped Lynden Christian to three straight 20-plus-win seasons. Named Washington's 2018 AP Class 1A Player of the Year, Bajema averaged 23.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and guided Lynden Christian to a 26-1 record and the Class 1A state championship with an 82-45 victory over Freeman. It was the school's first state title since 2012.
"Cole is a talented player, and his passion for Michigan made him a great fit," said Beilein. "We are excited that his family roots led him back to the state of Michigan. We love it when kids come running through the door to be a part of such a great university. Cole showed a skill that evolved each time we watched him play. He is a versatile player that we are looking forward to developing in our system. His willingness to work on and off the floor as well as in the classroom makes him a perfect fit."
As a sophomore, Bajema averaged 18.5 points per game and guided Lynden to the Class 1A semifinals before an eventual fourth-place finish in the state playoffs. He helped the Lyncs to a pair of Northwest District titles as a junior (12-1, 2018) and as a freshman (11-1, 2016). Bajema added Northwestern District first team honors in 2017 and 2018 and was an AP Class 1A all-state first teamer in 2018 after earning honorable mention in 2017.
This summer Bajema was invited to play with the Bellingham Slam in the prestigious Seattle Pro-Am, which is organized by former Wolverine Jamal Crawford. Bajema also played AAU with Friends of Hoop in Seattle. Bajema's sister, Kara, was a standout basketball and volleyball player for Lynden Christian and is currently a junior outside hitter for the University of Washington volleyball program.
Currently rated No. 73 on ESPN's Top 100 for Class of 2019, Wilson is a 6-8 senior scoring wing on the No. 1 team in Texas' District 6A region at John H. Guyer High School.
"We are thrilled to have a player of Jalen's caliber join the program," said Beilein. "He is a strong, physical wing with the ability to score in a variety of ways. Jalen and his family love our university, and that was important to us, too. His versatility gives him the ability to play multiple positions on offense, and his strength allows him to be able to come in and be an impact defender. He has continued to improve in many areas since we have been recruiting him. With his attitude, work ethic and skill set, we cannot wait for him to arrive."
Wilson averaged 16.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists last season on the way to Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Class 6A all-state, all-regional and District 6A co-MVP honors. He helped the Wildcats to a 38-2 record and a regional championship game in the Texas state playoffs.
A three-year varsity player at Guyer, Wilson has been part of three straight District 6A championship teams. Averaging 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists as a sophomore, he guided Guyer to a 25-6 record and a trip to the Bi-District final. As a freshman, he posted 15.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game as Guyer went 30-3 and advanced to the District 6A Area final.
Named after U-M's Jalen Rose of the Fab Five, Wilson played on the Gauntlet AAU circuit this spring, averaging 19.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
The Wolverines have only one senior on the roster in Charles Matthews, who has two years of eligibility remaining.
