Marquette officially signs another Hauser
When Steve Wojciechowski was hired as Marquette coach in 2014, one of his first trips on the job was to Stevens Point to watch highly rated recruit Sam Hauser.
Wojciechowski liked what he saw. And more.
“I saw Sam, who at that time was a sophomore. Joey was just trailing him around,” Wojciechowski remembered. “Right away I said, ‘I really want to coach that kid Sam Hauser. I saw Joey play and said, ‘I’m really going to want to coach that kid Joey Hauser, too.’ “
Wojciechowski will get the chance next season after Joey Hauser signed his national letter of intent with MU on Wednesday.
Also joining the Golden Eagles next season will be Brendan Bailey from American Fork (Utah) High School. Bailey officially signed in 2016 but is on a two-year Mormon mission in Washington, D.C.
The 6-foot-8 Hauser has led Stevens Point High School to three straight WIAA Division 1 titles, averaging 23.6 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season as a junior.
Sam Hauser, who averaged 8.8 points as a freshman with the Golden Eagles last season, is excited about playing with his brother again.
“I think we play really well together, actually,” Sam said. “Obviously, growing up together and playing together for a while, we know our strengths and weaknesses and how we like to play. I think our games are going to work well together.”
Wojciechowski said Joey has been the Golden Eagles’ top recruiting target for the class of 2018 since he was a freshman.
“(Joey) is one of those few guys around the country in his class that I think can really play with anyone,” the MU coach said. “He can play on the perimeter if you have a bigger lineup. He can play on the interior if you have a smaller lineup. And he has the skill set to exploit both of those types of matchups.”
Bailey is the son of former North Carolina State standout and 12-year NBA player Thurl Bailey.
Eke to redshirt: Marquette freshman forward Ike Eke will redshirt this season, Wojciechowski said Wednesday.
The 6-9 Eke moved to the Detroit area from Nigeria in 2013 to attend University of Detroit Jesuit High School. Before coming to the United States, Eke had not played organized basketball.
Howard, Elliott hurting: The Golden Eagles could be without sophomore guard Markus Howard and freshman guard Greg Elliott in their season opener against Mount St. Mary’s on Friday.
Howard, who led the nation in threepoint shooting last season, has not practiced since the Lindenwood exhibition Saturday due to a sprained ankle.
Elliott severely sprained his thumb against Lindenwood and hasn’t practiced since.