Trio of high school players sign to play basketball at Bowling Green
11/28/2012BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green State University men’s basketball team on Tuesday announced the signing of three players to national letters of intent. Zach Denny, Garret Mayleben, and J.D. Tisdale will begin their collegiate basketball careers at BGSU in the 2013-14 season.
“We are very excited and pleased to welcome the newest members to our Falcon family,” BG men’s coach Louis Orr said.
“They are not only very talented and hardworking basketball players, but are diligent and hardworking students and high-character young men from great families. They are all excited about joining our Falcon family.”
Tisdale is a 6-foot-5 point guard from Flint, Mich., who plays at Swartz Creek High School. Last season he averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists per game.
“J.D. is an extremely talented and athletic point guard who has size, vision, and explosiveness,” Orr said. “His ability to see over the defense at 6-5 and make plays for others and himself gives him an advantage over most other guards. He is creative and very active in the open floor, and he has the ability to get to the rim and finish. With his length and quickness, he is a very good on-ball defender and rebounder.
“J.D. is a student of the game, and he has the ability to impact the game positively in a variety of ways. He is a very hard worker, a good teammate, and a quality young man.”
Denny is a 6-2 shooting guard from Germantown, Ohio, who plays at Valley View High School. He led all players in the state of Ohio in scoring as a junior, averaging 28.8 points per game. He was a Division II All-Ohio Special Mention award winner and All-Ohio Honorable Mention as a sophomore after averaging 24.5 points per game.
“Zach is one of the best shooters and scorers in the state of Ohio,” Orr said. “He is a deadly 3-pointer shooter, but also has the ability to score in a variety of ways. He is a very effective ball-handler and passer with a high IQ. He is a high-energy player that is active on both ends of the floor, and he gets his hands on a lot of balls defensively.
“Zack is an extremely hard worker and a young man who puts the time in to improve his game. His ability to stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting will be an added weapon for us. Zach is a good teammate and a quality young man.”
Mayleben is a 6-9 forward from Milford, Ohio, who averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a junior at Milford High School. He was honorable mention all-conference at Milford.
“Garrett is a skilled and active big man who brings a lot of energy and effort to the court,” Orr said. “At 6-9, he has very good size and length. Garrett has a nice touch from the perimeter and can handle the ball. He has the ability to score, and he is comfortable facing the basket as well as playing in the post. He is a versatile and active defender who runs the floor well and is an effective rebounder.
“Garrett has a high IQ for the game and is a hard worker with big upside. With his size, skill, and talent, Garrett will continue to grow as a player.”