MBK: Augustana Men's Basketball Inks Three For 2013-14

Augustana men’s basketball coach Tom Billeter announced today the signing of three student-athletes to letters of intent for the 2013-14 season. Adam Beyer from De Pere, Wis., Ethan Guske from Sheboygan, Wis., and Devin Gilligan from Amherst, N.H., have all signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Augustana. Wednesday was the first day of the early signing period for NCAA basketball programs.

Beyer, a 6-foot-6 point guard, is currently a senior at De Pere High School and is a two-year letterwinner for the Redbirds. He averaged 10.0 points 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a junior and was an honorable mention all-conference honoree. A traditionally strong basketball program in the state of Wisconsin, De Pere finished the 2011-12 season with an overall record of 24-2, including a conference championship. Beyer’s squad missed a state tournament berth when it lost to Germantown, the state’s eventual champion. As a sophomore, Beyer averaged 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game and was a member the state runner-up team in 2010-11 after a 25-3 season. Adam is currently ranked the 14th best prep player in Wisconsin by Wissports.net.

"We feel incredibly fortunate to have Adam joining our basketball family at Augustana,” Billeter said. “Not only is he a very good basketball player, he is an outstanding individual that comes from an incredible family, and has been extremely well coached throughout his career and is a model citizen. In addition, he is a very long point guard which will help make us very good. Adam is hard working, committed and talented, all attributes leading to success both on the court and in life. We are more than pleased to have this very talented young man in our program."

Guske, a 6-foot-1 guard, is currently a senior at North High in Sheboygan, Wis. where he is a two-time letterwinner. Guske averaged 15.4 points and 2.5 rebounds during his junior season where he shot 86.2 percent from the free throw line and 37 percent from 3-point range. He was named his team’s MVP and was an all-conference and all-area selection. Last season, he guided his team to an impressive record of 21-4 (3 of which came against his future teammate Adam Beyer from De Pere High School). During his sophomore campaign, Guske averaged 13.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game and was a 73 percent free throw shooter. He was named all-conference honorable mention and was named the MVP of the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Tournament. Guske is regarded as one of the best shooters in the State of Wisconsin and is currently ranked as the 27th best prep player in Wisconsin by Wissports.net.

"We identified Ethan early as one of the best perimeter shooters in the entire Midwest,” Billeter said. “He is a very good athlete who we know can be a combo guard for us as well as a very good defender. Ethan is an excellent student and is the kind of young man who will do very well both academically and athletically within our system. Ethan comes from a very good family and has been well coached. He will help keep Augustana Basketball in the NCAA tournament for years to come.”

Gilligan, a 6-foot-5 forward from Amherst, N.H., is currently a senior at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H. where he is a two-time letterwinner. Kimball Union competes in one of the best Prep School leagues in the Nation competing against Nationally Top 25 high school teams regularly. As a junior, Gilligan averaged 10.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.5 assist per game. He twice helped his team to wins over Vermont Academy, who was ranked No. 16 in the nation by ESPN and assisted KUA to an overall record of 21-6. As a sophomore at Souhegan High School, Gilligan averaged 19.0 points per game and led his team in assists and rebounds. He is a two-time all-state honoree and was named the offensive player of the year as a sophomore. During his freshman season he averaged 15.0 points per game.

"People may be surprised to see a young man from New Hampshire as an addition to our predominantly Midwest roster, however, due to a very strong connection between Jeff Trumbauer and Devin's Prep School Coach, Mike Olson, we were able to get our foot in the door,” Billeter said. “Mike is as good a coach as there is and Devin has a phenomenal basketball IQ. He is able to hit the 3-pointer, post-up and pass, as well as play excellent defense and communicate. Devin will be a great player at Augustana College and we are very happy to have him.”

Augustana is currently 2-0 on the season and hosts South Dakota School of Mines and Technology tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Located in Sioux Falls, S.D., Augustana College is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.