Wilber adds three transfers to 2014-15 roster

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball coach Matt Wilber added some college-level basketball experience to his roster this week when he announced this signing of six additional names for 2014-15, including three transfers.

Joey Mitchell comes to the Tigers with one season of eligibility remaining, Terrell Newton has two seasons left with Dakota Wesleyan and Luke Car joins the DWU men's basketball program with three years of eligibility left. Caleb Carr, Darren Fallis and Jason Spicer will all be freshman for Dakota Wesleyan in 2014-15.

Mitchell comes to DWU after three seasons at Black Hills State University, an NCAA Division II program. He averaged eight points per game as a junior for the Yellowjackets and played in all 26 games. The Tulare, S.D., native, averaged 10.2 points per game as a sophomore and was named to the all-freshman team in 2012. Mitchell, a 6-foot guard, had a successful prep career at Hitchcock-Tulare High School. He helped his team to a 49-3 record in his final two seasons, along with a fifth-place finish and a runner-up finish at the Class B state tournament. He finished his career with 1,596 points and was named Class B Spirit of Su winner, a South Dakota Mr. Basketball Finalist and the Class B player-of-the-year as a senior. He also lettered in football, track and cross country, and was part of the Patriots' Class 9B state football title.

"Joey is a veteran guard with three years of college experience that is going to bring depth and toughness to both guard positions next season," Wilber said. "His style of play and familiarity with a number of our returners will fit our system well, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with him even if only for one year."

Newton comes to DWU after one season each at Iowa Lakes Community College and Dakota State University. During the 2012-13 season at DSU, Newton averaged 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 51 percent from the field. He averaged 7.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game at Iowa Lakes as a freshman. Newton, a 6-5 guard/forward, also had a storied high school career at Huron High School. He averaged 16.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game as a senior and scored more than 1,000 points in his career. He helped the Tigers to three top-four finishes at the Class AA state tournament, and earned Class AA All-State First Team honors as a junior and senior. As a senior he was a South Dakota Mr. Basketball Finalist, a nominee for the Gatorade Player-of-the-Year and a Sioux Falls Argus Leader First Five Elite Team. He earned all-conference honors his sophomore through senior seasons and was named to the All-Decade Team of South Dakota in 2011.

"Terrell has a very good skill set that is versatile and will allow us to play him all over the floor," Wilber said. "He compliments other players, and I expect him to fit our system well. I am looking forward to coaching him and being able to provide him with an opportunity to get his degree here at DWU. I know he expects to take full opportunity to make a positive impact on our program."

Luke Carr, a 6-4 forward, was a part of the University of Sioux Falls men's basketball program and used a redshirt, but most recently attended the University of South Dakota where he did not play basketball. The Huron, S.D., native averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, 4.5 assists and four steals per game as a senior and was part of the Tigers' conference and district titles in 2010. He earned all-conference and Class AA All-State honors, and was named a South Dakota Mr. Basketball Finalist.

"Luke is coming back to us after a couple years, and I am looking forward to his opportunity to play," Wilber said. "He makes players around him better and is a high IQ player. I know he is already working hard in getting back into playing shape, and this summer and fall will really help him. He's a versatile player that can play a number of positions."

Luke Carr's brother, Caleb Carr, will be a freshman for DWU in the fall. Caleb Carr comes to DWU after a two-year varsity career at Huron High School. The 6-6 forward averaged 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a senior and shot better than 51 percent from the field. He helped the Tigers to a 23-2 record his senior season as well as conference, district and regional titles. He earned academic all-state honors and participated in the South Dakota 3-Class Shootout.

"Caleb has high potential at our level with the diversity of his game," Wilber said. "I am excited to watch his development in all areas and work with him daily in helping him continue to get better. As he continues to improve and get stronger, he will be able to play more than one position for us."

Fallis, a 6-2 guard from Corsica, S.D., averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game as a senior for the Corsica/Stickney Jaguars. He earned all-conference third team honors and participated in the 3-Class Shootout. Fallis was also a member of the honor roll.

"DWU has always had the majority of its roster filled primarily with local talent, and that's what Darren is," Wilber said. "I look forward to him being a part of our program and making a positive impact."

Spicer, a 6-5 center, comes to DWU after two seasons with the varsity program at Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School. He averaged 9.6 points and seven rebounds per game and shot 63.6 percent from the field. Spicer was part of the Rough Rider's Class AA state title-winning team in 2014, and helped the program to a 45-4 record in his final two seasons. He earned all-city, Class AA All-Tournament and all-conference honors as a senior, and graduated with record for field-goal percentage in a career (.619).

"Jason finished a very successful senior season in helping his team win a state championship," Wilber said. "Throughout his senior year, he improved from game to game and I expect he will continue that development. He is a tremendous kid to coach, and his teammates love to play with him. I am excited to be able to work with him and watch his development in our program."

Wilber's latest six recruits bring his total up to 16 for the 2014-15 season. The Tigers are coming off an 18-14 overall record and a 10-10 mark in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. DWU, which didn't lose any starters to graduation, made it to the GPAC semifinal game where it lost in overtime to Morningside College.