Oilers Add 3 More For 2011-12

The University of Findlay men's basketball program completed their 2011 recruiting class by adding Kaspars Brencans, Josh Brown and Luke Kohls as head coach Charlie Ernst announced the signings on Thursday, May 26.

Brencans, a 6'8, 225-pound forward from Riga, Latvia, averaged ten points, ten rebounds and two blocks per game last year at the Florida Air Academy. In Latvia, his team won the youth basketball national championship in 2008-09 and he was also nominated for the U-14, U-16 and U-18 Latvia national teams.

"We ran across Kaspars late in the process and think he will be a great compliment to the post players that we currently have on our team," said Ernst. "Like most European players, he is very strong and has a great motor. He has tremendous upside and is very athletic.

Brown, a 6'3, 180-pound guard from Southfield High School in Southfield, Michigan, was named honorable mention all-Oakland Activities Association during his senior year. A two-year starter for one of the top teams in Michigan, Brown was voted honorable mention all-Oakland County after averaging nine points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals per game.

"Josh is very athletic and reminds us of an Aaron Robinson or Frank Phillips type of player. His value is a bit underrated because of the stars he played with at Southfield, a program that won a lot of games during his tenure. He is also a great defender and knows how to win."

Kohls was the Putnam County League Player of the Year as a senior at Columbus Grove High School in Columbus Grove, Ohio. A 6'4, 195-pound wing, Kohls totaled 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals per game en route to being named first team all-Ohio. He was also tabbed the Northwest Conference Player of the Year, the Northwest District Player of the Year and the District 8 Player of the Year during his senior season.

"Luke follows a long line of Putnam County standouts to bring their talents to Findlay. We are excited he turned down other opportunities to fulfill his desire to play in an Oilers uniform."

All three will join Jake Heagen, an early signee, as Ernst's first recruiting class.