University of Minnesota Duluth first-year head coach Justin Wieck has announced the signing of four student-athletes to become members of the men's basketball team. The 2019-2020 recruiting class features two players from the state of Minnesota and two players from the state of Wisconsin. Charlie Gorres (Cottage Grove, Minn.), Jack Middleton (Edina, Minn.), Donovan Ivory (Kaukauna, Wis.), and Drew Blair (Stevens Point, Wis.) make up Coach Wieck's first recruiting class for the Bulldogs. These four put a stamp on the first recruiting class for the new head coach

"We are thrilled to put together such a high level class in just the first six months on the job," said Wieck. "We are committed to recruit the best players from Minnesota and Wisconsin that fit who we are at UMD and where our program is headed in the future. All four are extremely talented players, exemplify the values of our program, come from fantastic families and fit the great academic profile that UMD has to offer. Thanks to everyone who has been involved in our recruiting process here on campus. My two assistant coaches, Casey Bruggeman and Tanner Kretchman, have been and continue to be terrific in how they interact with and convey the message of UMD Men's Basketball.


Gorres is a 6-foot-6 versatile wing from Cottage Grove, Minn. He is listed as the No. 15 ranked prospect in the Minnesota 2019 class by NorthStar Hoops Report. He averaged 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.1 blocks per game as a junior, as well as earning all-conference award recognition for Park High School. He played travel AAU basketball with the Minnesota Fury club. A multi-sport athlete, Charlie also has excelled on the football field for Park High School. He grabbed all-district distinction with most catches and receiving yards his senior season with the Wolfpack. Gorres enters this season as a captain again in his fourth consecutive starting season. He is the son of Eric and Anne Gorres with a talented family background. His sister Ally used to play at the University of North Dakota and his brother is currently playing with Curt Wiese and the football Bulldogs. Gorres will plan to major in business.

"Charlie was the first recruit to jump on board and join our program this past summer," said Wieck. "Within a week of starting the job here, Charlie and his family were on campus to visit and it seemed like a perfect fit. His personality is infectious and will greatly benefit the culture of our team. Charlie brings great length and athleticism to our program. His ability to shoot the ball from the 3pt line as well as attack the rim will benefit our team from day one. I'm most excited about his defensive ability and the pride he takes on that end. He has the chance to be an elite defender over time."

"The thing that stood out to me when I visited UMD was the new coaching staff and new energy around the program," said Gorres. "The UMD campus is amazing and the Romano Gymnasium renovations really put it over the top. I'm super excited about the things this group can do to help bring our program to a championship level."


Middleton is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Edina, Minn. He is listed as the No. 12 ranked prospect in the Minnesota 2019 class by NorthStar Hoops Report. He averaged 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for an Edina team that finished 19-9 in the difficult 4A Lake conference. He has been named a two-time all-Lake Conference member in each of the past two seasons. Middleton will enter his fifth season of varsity action for the Hornets and head coach Joe Burger. He played travel AAU basketball with the Minnesota Fury club. Middleton is the son of Kerry and Jennifer Middleton. His grandfather, Lyle Middleton, played basketball and ran track collegiately at Central Arkansas and his cousin plays football at Augustana University. He is planning to major in business. 
 
"Jack brings us an immediate impact player at the shooting guard position," said Wieck. "After watching Jack play for almost two years now, I am consistently impressed with his toughness and constant motor on the floor. Jack shoots the ball from the 3pt line at a very high rate, but also has a great feel and IQ to score and facilitate in many different ways. Jack also has shown great toughness and desire to be a lockdown defender against very high competition. I love his competitive drive and his eagerness to help his team win in every way possible. A fantastic student, player, leader, and human being."

"UMD stood out to me right away because of the awesome city, campus, and academic opportunities," said Middleton. "Coach Wieck and the new coaching staff, along with the Romano Gymnasium renovations made this feel right from the start. I'm excited to get started at UMD because we have a chance to do something great."


Ivory is a 6-foot-5 versatile wing from Kaukauna, Wis. He is listed as the 15th ranked player in Wisconsin by Prep Hoops Wisconsin. He averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebound per game as a junior. Donovan was a key component in Kaukauna High School winning a Division 2 Wisconsin state title this last season, averaging 11.5 points and 11.5 rebounds during the state tournament. Donovan comes from a pipeline of former Ghosts including alum Kyle Schalow and current guard Adam Smith. He played travel AAU basketball with the Wisconsin Blizzard club. Ivory is the son of Nick Ivory and Stephanie Gordee. He has a twin brother Brayden, who will attend the University of Wisconsin-Superior next year and play basketball for the Yellowjackets.

"I am extremely excited about Donovan and what he means to the future of our program," said Wieck. "Donovan brings a very unique and diverse skill-set to the court. He has the ability to play multiple positions and be very effective. Donovan can shoot the ball at a high level, attack off the dribble and play in the mid-range area. With his length and athleticism, he will instantly help us on the defensive end as well. He loves the game of basketball and is constantly in the gym to improve, which is something we really target in the recruiting process. He continues to get better daily and I expect him to have a monster senior season."

"I love being a part of Coach Wieck's first recruiting class," said Ivory. "Coach is very confident in the success of the program moving forward. What stood out most was the way coach recruited me. He was very respectful, honest, and genuine in his approach. He wants what is best for me and will push me to be a great player. I'm excited to play for a program that is on the rise."


Blair is a 6-foot-4 combo guard from Stevens Point, Wis. He will transfer from Northwest Missouri State University and join the UMD program for the 2019 spring semester. He will have four years of eligibility remaining beginning in the fall. He was listed as the No. 16-ranked player in Wisconsin and the secind highest Division II
player by Prep Hoops Wisconsin in the 2018 class. In his senior season for Stevens Point Area High School, Drew averaged 28.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. For his prep career, Drew won two Division I Wisconsin State Championships. He was twice named an all-state WBCA performer in Wisconsin and also bestowed first team AP All-State accolade as well. He was also twice named the Wisconsin Valley Conference Player of the Year and a two-time first team all-conference honoree. A wissports.net Top Shooter award winner after netting the single season scoring record (753) at SPASH. Drew played travel AAU basketball with the Wisconsin Academy club. Blair is the son of Michael and Cari Blair. His father is in the Wisconsin-Eau Claire Athletic Hall of Fame playing basketball and football. He is undecided on a major.

"We are extremely excited to be able to have Drew join our program this spring," said Wieck. "Drew is a guy who I recruited very hard out of high school. His ability to stretch the floor with deep three-point range is such a valuable weapon. He obviously has a knack for scoring the basketball in bunches. Drew has been coached at a high level and understands what it takes to be successful as a team. We're thrilled with not only his personal success, but also his team success at the high school level. As a left-handed combo guard, Drew has the ability to help us right away next fall."

"UMD stood out to me because of the people involved in the program," said Blair. "From the coaches, the players, and the administration that support the program, I couldn't be walking into a better situation. I think Coach Wieck has such a positive outlook on how he coaches and where this program is headed. I can't wait to get there this spring to be a part of it."

The Bulldogs are off to a promising start to the 2018-19 campaign after starting the non-conference slate 3-1 in Wieck's first go-around. The four signees will intertwine with a bolstered roster of 12 returnees. 

"Special thanks to many, including Josh Berlo, Karen Stromme, Gary Holquist, Tracy Bolden, Matt Bauman, Donnie Hermanson, Laura Schnell and others who have helped along in the recruiting and campus visit process," said Wieck. "Signing of these four young men truly is a team effort here in Bulldog Country. We're thrilled to have them join our campus and program."