DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University men's basketball head coach Matt Majkrzak announced the signing of five players to join the Huskie program for the 2027-28 school year. Zeak Jones (Milwaukee, Wis./Dominican), Austin Luchetti (Monona, Wis./Monona Grove), Mike Rogers Jr. (Mequon, Wis./Homestead), Will Stremlow (Verona, Wis./Verona Area) and Levi Webb (Papillion, Neb./Papillion La Vista South) are set to join the NIU men's basketball team for next season.
"We are thrilled about this group of Huskies," said Majkrzak. "From day one we've been clear about our intention of building with three things. First, high school student-athletes, second, people that fit NIU and want to be here, and third, high character kids from great families.
"Getting this first recruiting class right was very important and we know we checked all of the boxes with this group of young men. Another common thread is they come from really great high school and AAU basketball programs where they have been coached at a high-level entering college. They also are all winners, who value the team, are high IQ, and play with passion. In today's day and age, it's hard to find people who value making the right play and winning above all else. We are elated to have found five of those individuals in our first recruiting class. In addition, they come from great families that will be an important part of what we are building. I'm excited for Huskie Nation to meet these players and get to know them on and off the floor in the very near future."
Jones netted 25.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game a year ago at Dominican High School, earning All-State honors from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. Jones, who plays AAU basketball with Team Haliburton, has scored 1,259 points entering his high school senior season and is a Preseason First Team All-State honoree.
"Zeak is an elite scorer that can fill it up from all three levels," said Majkrzak. "He has great instincts on both sides of the ball and can be an elite defender on the wing to complement a great all-around offensive game. Zeak is a rare high school player that is elite in the ball screen and using off-ball screens."
Luchetti missed his junior high school season due to injury but averaged 15.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2024-25. Luchetti plays AAU basketball with the Wisconsin Playmakers and is a First Team Wisconsin Division I All-State honoree heading into his senior season this year.
"Austin is a do it all 6-foot-7 forward that can play point guard, shoot 3's, and is a great post player, said Majkrzak. "He's so versatile on offense that I'm excited about all the different ways we can use him. He's a great rebounder who has a nose for the ball and uses really good two-foot jumping ability to finish above the rim and grab out of area rebounds."
Rogers averaged 19.0 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game during his junior season at Homestead High School, the same high school as current Huskie
Trevor Polite. He earned First Team All-North Shore Conference honors a season ago and is a Preseason First Team All-State honoree this year. Rogers plays AAU basketball with the Chapman Basketball Academy.
"Mike is an electric point guard," said Majkrzak. "Watching him play basketball is just fun. He's equal parts fiery and cerebral while being one of the most skilled players in the Midwest. Mike has every tool you could ask for out of a point guard, but his elite long-range shooting sets the table for his passing and paint scoring."
Stremlow averaged 23 points per game as a junior last season at Verona Area High School, earning First Team All-Big 8 Conference honors. He helped lead Verona Area to a 22-5 overall record, which included a regional championship and an appearance in the WIAA Division I Sectionals. Stremlow plays AAU with the Wisconsin Swing.
"Will might be the toughest kid I've ever recruited," said Majkrzak. "When there is a ball to get, he ends up with the ball in his hands. On top of being an elite competitor, he's a tireless worker that keeps improving rapidly at all facets of his game. At 6-foot-4, he's got great positional size and lives in the paint on offense creating for himself and others."
Webb garnered Nebraska First Team Super State and First Team All-State honors as a junior at Papillion La Vista South High School after averaging 19.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Webb, who plays AAU basketball with Midwest Roots, helped lead Papillion La Vista South to a Class A state runner-up finish as the Monarchs recorded a 20-win season.
"Levi is a winner above all else," said Majkrzak. "He's a lefty point guard that is extremely comfortable on and off ball. Levi has the clutch gene where you expect every big shot to go in, and he plays with a quiet confidence, that masks an intense competitive nature. He's equally capable of beating you by scoring or passing and makes all the winning plays."
