Northwest U Signs Four for Men's Basketball
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University men’s basketball coach, John Van Dyke, has announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2014-15 season. Signing letters of intent to attend NU this fall are: Paul Loranger of Maple valley, Wash.; Mark Lieberman of Seattle, Wash.; Marko Nikolic of Belgrade, Serbia and Daniel Ghebremichael of Lynnwood, Wash.
Paul Loranger, a 6-11 post, is a transfer from Pierce College in Lakewood, Wash., and will be a sophomore this fall with three years of eligibility. Loranger averaged 8 points, 7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season as a freshman for Pierce. He played his prep basketball at Tahoma High School in Covington, Wash.
Coach John Van Dyke said, “I am very excited to have Paul in the program, and think he has a chance to be an impact player in the Cascade Conference. For a guy 6-11, he runs well and has very good hands. Paul is a super person and should have a great career at NU.”
Mark Lieberman, a 6-1 guard, is transferring from Mount Vernon Nazarene in Martinsburg, Ohio, and will two years of eligibility at Northwest U. He averaged 3.5 ppg for the Cougars last season and in 2012-13, Lieberman averaged 8.2 ppg, started in 28 contests for MVNU and was named to the Crossroad League All-Newcomer team. Mark attended Dayton Christian High School in Miamisburg, Ohio, where he played varsity basketball.
“Mark is a very smart player, a natural point guard and will make other players around him better,” said Coach Van Dyke. “He can really shoot the ball as well. I feel very fortunate that his family moved to the Seattle area and he wanted to be near them.”
Marko Nikolic, a 6-8 freshman post, averaged 17.7 points, 3.3 assists and 9 rebounds per game for his club team in Belgrade, Serbia. He was one of the top ten scorers in the First High School Serbian League, first team defense and second team offense on the All-Serbian High School team. His club team won the gold medal in the International Tournament in Barcelona, Spain (2011), and he was named the tournament MVP.
“Marko should provide some length at the post position” commented Van Dyke. “I believe he is a skilled big man that can both shoot and drive. He will have 4 years of eligibility and I am excited to see how his game can adapt to the Cascade Conference.”
Daniel Ghebremichael will be a freshman this fall and graduated from Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Wash. The 6-1 guard averaged 6 ppg for his Scots team last season which finished 17-7, won the WIAA District One championship while advancing to the WIAA State 3A tournament and a spot in the sweet sixteen.
“Daniel is an extremely quick point guard that has the ability to run a team. I think he is a fantastic young man that will add depth at the guard position. Once he learns the system he will have the ability to contribute.”
The Northwest University men finished 20-11 overall last season, their fourth consecutive 20-win season and advanced to the semi-finals of the Cascade Collegiate Conference post season tournament. The Eagles have made two trips to the NAIA Division II national tournament in the past three years.