APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University men's basketball team, fresh off its fourth Midwest Conference championship in five seasons, gets three new faces when it takes the court later this year.
David Bremner of Fort Collins, Colo., Tyler Crisman of Frankfort, Ill., and TJ Crowns of Sheboygan, Wis., are set to play for the Vikings next season.
"These three young men are exactly what this program needed to continue playing at a championship level," Lawrence head coach Joel DePagter said. "All three players are team captains and come from very solid high school teams and more importantly, very solid families. They are the types of players that make Lawrence basketball a success - they work hard, they play the right way, and they are smart kids. We are very fortunate to have these three young men coming to Lawrence, and I am very excited for the chance to work with them."
Bremner is a 6-foot-5 forward from Boulder High School and was a first-team All-Centennial League selection. Bremner, who earned honorable mention on the all-state team, led his team in assists, steals, and blocked shots while averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game. Bremner, who shot 53 percent from the floor, was ranked as one of Colorado's top 15 players by the Denver Post. He led his team to a 19-6 record and Boulder's first appearance in the Colorado state tournament's Sweet 16.
"We are so excited to have David join the Lawrence family," DePagter said. "We do not have a player on the roster with the type of athleticism that David possesses, and that is saying something considering we're coming off a 22-3 season. David and his family are a perfect fit for Lawrence University. This school and basketball team just got better with the addition of David Bremner. He is a perfect complement to our existing team and his other two classmates."
Crisman was a standout at Lincoln-Way East High School and was a first-team All-Southwest Suburban Conference selection as both a junior and senior. The 6-1 guard averaged 12 points, four assists, and two steals per game last season on his way to earning team Most Valuable Player honors. Also an outstanding student, Crisman earned academic all-conference honors and is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Tyler has the makings of a great college basketball player," DePagter said. "I don't think I have ever seen a high school player take so much pride in getting others open shots. That type of mentality can only lead to great things, and his teammates will welcome him with open arms. His talent, combined with his work ethic, makes him a perfect fit in the Lawrence family. Being a former point guard myself, I am so excited for the opportunity to work with Tyler for the next four years. The future of Lawrence basketball is bright with the addition of Tyler."
Crowns, a 5-11 guard, spent more than half of his senior season at Sheboygan South High School sidelined with an injury. A team captain, Crowns was averaging eight points and three assists per game before his injury. He won the school's Walt Anderson Award as the hardest working senior.
"TJ unfortunately missed much of last season due to an injury but had a great summer in 2007," DePagter said. "TJ's best basketball lies ahead of him as he continues to develop physically. What impresses me most about TJ is the type of kid he is and how hard he works every possession. He comes from a great family and is a great fit at Lawrence. Any coach would be lucky to have 12 kids on their roster like TJ."
Crowns adds to the Sheboygan connection at Lawrence. DePagter was a prep standout at Sheboygan North High School before his college basketball at Lawrence. John Dekker, a high school star at Sheboygan Lutheran, just completed his sophomore season at Lawrence.
The Vikings also get a boost next season with the return of junior guard Dustin Lee. A prep standout at St. Charles (Ill.) North High School, Lee played two seasons with the Vikings before spending the last academic year away from campus. Lee has played in 32 games for Lawrence over two seasons.
Lawrence, ranked 18th in the final D3hoops.com Top 25 of the season, opens the 2008-09 campaign at UW-Oshkosh on Nov. 18.