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Jamestown, ND- The University of Jamestown\u00a0men’s\u00a0basketball team is excited to announce the signing of seven student-athletes to add to their 2025 recruiting class. Jackson Beauchamp (Trophy Club, TX), Thomas Diew (St. Cloud, MN), Matas Gaidukevicius (Lemont, IL), Vladislav Karasev (Moscow, Russia \u2013 Plano, TX), Henry Meyer (La Crosse, WI), Ford Okehi (Brooklyn, NY), and Davis Walker (Naperville, IL) all signed their letter of intent to make their commitment to attend the University of Jamestown official. “I chose UJ because from the beginning the coaches made me feel like part of the family. They built genuine relationships with every player and took a personal interest in me as a player and person. Their vision for the program was exciting, focused on winning and developing us into better men.” \u2013 Jackson Beauchamp<\/p>\n Notes: Jackson comes to UJ from Byron Nelson High School in Texas\u2026 A two-year varsity starter, he helped lead the team to 23 wins and a 2025 District 4-6A Finalist finish\u2026 Averaged 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists as a senior while shooting 58% from the field and 50% from three\u2026 Earned First Team All-District and BN Classic All-Tournament honors in 2024\u201325\u2026 Helped Byron Nelson win the 2024\u201325 BN Classic Holiday Tournament\u2026 His teams won 30 games as a sophomore and 19 as a junior\u2026 Standout performer for Elite Academy Ducks on the NXTPRO Circuit, showing versatility and efficiency on both ends of the court. Coach Bruggeman on Jackson: “Jackson is a strong, smart, and skilled player with the versatility to impact the game on both ends of the floor. What stood out most during the recruiting process was his selflessness, his ability to connect and elevate his teammates, and the positive energy he brings on and off the court. He put together a great senior season playing in the largest class in the state of Texas. Jackson is a tremendous young man from a great family, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help him grow at UJ.” “I knew UJ was the right fit as soon as I visited. The bond I built with the coaches made it feel like home. They had a clear vision for my growth and believed in me from the start. Plus, the homemade tacos didn’t hurt. It truly felt like family.” \u2013 Thomas Diew<\/p>\n Notes: Thomas joins UJ from Moberly Area College, he played in 30 games and started in 19. Thomas helped lead Moberly to a 26-win season and a Region 16 Regular Season and MCCAC Championship in 2024\u201325\u2026 Averaged 6.9 PPG and 4.6 RPG as a sophomore while shooting 48.7% from the field and 30.8% from three\u2026 Named to the 2024\u201325 All-MCCAC Second Team and All-Region 16 Second Team\u2026 Also earned team Defensive Player of the Year and Most Charges Taken honors\u2026 Prepped at St. Cloud Apollo High School in Minnesota. Coach Bruggeman on Thomas: “Thomas is a versatile, experienced forward with a high basketball IQ and strong competitive edge. What stood out most during the recruiting process was his defensive motor and feel for the game on both ends of the floor. A native of St. Cloud, MN, Thomas showed genuine interest in UJ from the moment our conversations began. Thomas is a tremendous young man from a great family, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help him grow at UJ.” “I chose Jamestown because Coach Bruggeman and Coach Dak believed in me from the start. I knew it was the right place for me to grow both on and off the court.” \u2013 Matas Gaidukevicius<\/p>\n Notes: Matas joins UJ from Lemont High School in Illinois. He helped lead Lemont to a 2025 IHSA Regional Championship, a Sectional Finals appearance, and an undefeated (13\u20130) conference title run. He averaged 13.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 1.3 APG while shooting 42.5% from the field and 84.6% at the line. He posted multiple 20+ point games, including a 38-point performance vs. Hinsdale South. Matas earned PrepHoops Grit Region Elite 8 honors and was recognized by NY2LA and PrepHoops for his breakout senior season. On the AAU circuit, he played with M14 Hoops (IL), competing in high-level events across the NXTPRO and PrepHoops circuits. Coach Bruggeman on Matas: “Matas is an explosive, long, and skilled perimeter player with the potential to become an elite two-way contributor at the next level. What stood out most during the recruiting process was his shooting ability, athleticism, and competitive drive. He’s coming off a strong senior season competing in the largest class in the state of Illinois. Matas is a tremendous young man from a great family, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help him grow at UJ.” “I chose UJ because from the start, the coaches showed real love and made me feel welcomed. They treated me like family and created an environment that felt like home. Also, it’s a quiet place with no distractions. That’s the kind of space I need to stay locked in and become the best version of myself.” \u2013 Vlad Karasev<\/p>\n Notes: Vlad joins UJ after two seasons at Collin College in Texas\u2026 Started every game as a sophomore in 2024\u201325, averaging 8.3 PPG and 5.9 RPG\u2026 Earned NTJCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention\u2026 Helped lead Collin to back-to-back 15+ win seasons, including 24 wins as a freshman\u2026 Known for his consistency, toughness, and two-way impact in the frontcourt\u2026 Originally from Moscow, Russia, where he competed in national youth events before coming to the U.S. Coach Bruggeman on Vlad: “Vlad is a strong and experienced forward who possesses a great blend of size and skill for his position.\u00a0 What stood out to us most in the recruiting process was his maturity, gym-rat mentality, and ability to shoot the basketball at a high-level. Vlad is a tremendous young man from a great family, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help him grow at UJ.” “I chose UJ to be a part of a great culture and the opportunity to compete in a great conference. I’m excited to be in a competitive environment with others who understand the importance of relationships and prioritize winning.” \u2013 Henry Meyer<\/p>\n Notes: Henry joins UJ after one season at Maryville University\u2026 Played about 20 minutes per game in 2024\u201325, averaging 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds\u2026 Prepped at La Crosse Central HS, where he was a two-year varsity contributor and scored 1,086 career points\u2026 As a senior, averaged 20.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 2.3 APG while shooting 46% from the field and 82% from the line\u2026 Earned First Team All-Conference and was a Senior Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist\u2026 Recognized by WisBBYearbook for his leadership and performance. Coach Bruggeman on Henry: “Henry is an explosive, skilled guard who brings toughness and competitiveness on both ends of the floor. Our coaching staff had the opportunity to recruit him out of high school, so it’s been exciting to reconnect a year later at UJ. What stood out most during the recruiting process was his ability to get to his spots and his desire to be a connector in the locker room. Henry is a tremendous young man from a great family, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help him grow at UJ.” Notes: Ford joins the University of Jamestown from the Taft School, a top prep program in Connecticut, after previously attending Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn, NY\u2026 Served as team captain and led Taft in scoring\u2026 Helped guide Taft to a 20-win season and a NEPSAC Class A Semifinal appearance\u2026 In 2024\u20132025, averaged 14.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 2.9 SPG while shooting 46.2% from the field and 89.2% at the line\u2026 Earned Class A All-NEPSAC honors and was a two-time Founders League All-Conference selection (First Team in 2024, Second Team in 2025)\u2026 Recognized as a NERR Top 20 player in the state of Connecticut\u2026 Competed with Pro Level Titans on the PRO16 NXTPRO PUMA Circuit, helping them win the 2024 NERR Hoopfest 17U Championship and finish ranked #2 overall in the NXTPRO Circuit. Coach Bruggeman on Ford: “Ford is a highly skilled guard with the ability to control the tempo of the game and a knack for making big plays. What stood out most during the recruiting process was his excellence as a student-athlete and his relentless drive to be great. He is coming off a strong senior season competing in one of the top prep school leagues in the country. Ford is a tremendous young man from a great family, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help him grow at UJ.” Notes: Davis joins UJ after four seasons at Maryville University, playing in 82 games and starting 36\u2026 He averaged 21.7 minutes, 5.5 points, and 2.9 rebounds per game over his career, Shot 36% from the field and 30% from three. Known for smart decision-making and ball protection, finishing with a 4.3 assist-to-turnover ratio last season\u2026 Prepped at Prep College Homeschool in Naperville, Illinois. Coach Bruggeman on Davis: “Davis is a veteran lead guard with valuable experience and a proven two-way skill set. I had the privilege of building a strong relationship with Davis during my time as an assistant coach at Minnesota-Duluth, and it’s special to reconnect now at UJ. What stood out most during the recruiting process was Davis’s genuine desire to step into a leadership role and help shape the next chapter of UJ Men’s Basketball. He’s a tremendous young man from a great family, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help him grow at UJ.”
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\n“We are thrilled to be adding these seven exceptional student-athletes to our men’s basketball program,” said head coach Casey Bruggeman<\/a>. “All seven embody the type of character, leadership, and competitiveness we desire in our program.\u00a0 I would like to thank our recruiting coordinator and head assistant coach Tath Dak<\/a>, along with assistant coach Carter Janssen<\/a>, for their lead efforts in recruiting this group of student-athletes. I would also like to thank the UJ admissions team, our Jimmie faculty and staff, and other athletic department members who aided in the recruitment of these student-athletes. We are thrilled for these seven young men to be joining the Jimmie Family.”
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\nJackson Beauchamp
\nForward, 6’7, Byron Nelson HS (Trophy Club, TX)<\/p>\n
\nSon of Joey Beauchamp, and Kim Beauchamp and her husband Greg Harward, Jackson plans to major in Business Administration at the University of Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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\nThomas Diew
\nForward, 6’8, Moberly Area College (Moberly, MO) \/ St. Cloud, MN<\/p>\n
\nSon of Nyabiey and Kueth, Thomas plans to major in Criminal Justice at the University of Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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\nMatas Gaidukevicius
\nGuard, 6’7, Lemont HS (Lemont, IL)<\/p>\n
\nSon of Darius and Dovile, Matas plans to major in Business at the University of Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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\nVlad Karasev
\nForward, 6’8, Collin College (Plano, TX) \/ Moscow, Russia<\/p>\n
\nSon of Ed and Mary, Vlad plans to major in Business Administration at the University of Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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\nHenry Meyer
\nGuard, 6’3, Maryville University (St. Louis, MO) \/ La Crosse Central HS (La Crosse, WI)<\/p>\n
\nSon of Jeff and Denise, Henry’s major is undeclared at the University of Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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\nFord Okehi
\nGuard, 6’2, Taft School (Watertown, CT)
\n“I chose UJ because of the family culture. I had already built strong relationships with Coach Bruggeman and Coach Dak, but what made it special was the support I felt from the other coaches and faculty. It felt like home.” \u2013 Ford Okehi<\/p>\n
\nSon of Ijeoma and Uzodinma, Ford plans to major in Business Administration at the University of Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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\nDavis Walker
\nGuard, 6’2, Maryville University (St. Louis, MO) \/ Prep College Homeschool (Naperville, IL)
\n“I chose UJ because of the great relationship I have with the coaches. They’re great people who want the best for me on and off the court. I connected with the culture right away. The vision they have for me and the program is perfect. I can’t wait to help start UJ’s transition to Division II and compete in an elite conference.” \u2013 Davis Walker<\/p>\n
\nSon of Lee and Tiffany, Davis is pursuing his MBA at the University of Jamestown.<\/p>\n
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