MARQUETTE, Mich. – Matt Majkrzak and the Northern Michigan men's basketball team have added six to National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day 2025. Nathan Ramus, Caden Gustafson, Izaya Larthridge, Carson Dorgu, Connor Johnson, and Stephen McGee V will join the Wildcats as freshmen in 2026-2027.

"In the changing world of college basketball, we have remained steadfast that high school recruiting will be the lifeblood of our program at Northern Michigan," said Majkrzak. "While many schools, especially at the D1 level, chase transfers, we feel we have an opportunity to recruit higher-level high school prospects than ever before. The upgrade to facilities, coupled with our recent success, has made Northern Michigan basketball an even more attractive destination.  

This class has exceptional size and talent, while also fitting Northern Michigan and Marquette. We have expanded our base and are bringing in the highest-rated player from Minnesota and Michigan, who isn't signing D1, to complement our talent from Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Dylan, Jackson, and Sam have to run out of eligibility at some point, so adding size to replace them was a key focus for us in the class of 2026. We did this by signing four players 6'6 or taller, while also adding two guards that fit the NMU DNA." 


Nathan Ramus 6'2 Guard
Appleton North High School (WI)
Nathan Ramus joins the Wildcats as a highly decorated player from the Fox-Valley Association in Wisconsin. Last season, he averaged 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Over his high school career, Nate has earned First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, and Honorable Mention All-Conference honors, along with being a two-time All-Defense selection and receiving All-State Honorable Mention recognition. Known for his strong defensive presence and consistent impact on both ends of the court, Rasmus also competed with the Wisconsin Playmakers under Coach Toby Hegner during the AAU season.

Majkrzak on Ramus: "A classic NMU PG who takes care of the ball at a high level and runs a team. Nate's a standout volleyball player, whose athleticism, especially off two feet, is different from traditional guards. Nathan projects to be an elite defender at the PG spot. Add in the fact he's lefty, and he has some special intangibles to complement his traditional point guard play."


Caden Gustafson 6'2 Guard 
Waterford Union High School (WI)
Caden Gustafson joins the Wildcats following an exceptional high school career marked by numerous accolades. After averaging 21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, he was named 2024-25 Southern Lakes Conference Player of the Year. Caden also earned First Team WBCA All-State, First Team All-Conference, and First Team All-County honors this past season, building on his First Team All-Conference recognition in 2023-24. Gustafson competed on the UA Rise circuit for 24:UP under DJ Mlachnik. Known for his leadership, scoring ability, and all-around impact, he has proven to be one of the top talents and winners in Wisconsin.

Majkrzak on Gustafson: "Caden is a tough-as-nails combo guard that can score on all three levels and competes with a relentless motor. Although he's an elite scorer, his best quality is just finding ways to make winning plays, whether it's scoring, passing, rebounding, or defending. He's a winner in every sense of the word, and we are excited about his fit with our group."


Izaya Larthridge 6'6 Guard 
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (MI)
Izaya Larthridge joins the Wildcats after an outstanding high school career at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. In Izaya's junior season, he averaged 16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while earning First Team All-Conference and All-Region honors, while being a lockdown defender. His leadership helped secure another Conference, District, and Regional Championship, along with an Elite 8 win and a Breslin Center Final Four appearance. He also competed on the AAU circuit with the Indiana Game under Coach Jack Cundiff.

Majkrzak on Larthridge: "Izaya is a 6'6 guard that makes the right basketball play every time. He can really shoot and defend, and fits the mold of the traditional 3 & D wing that we all covet. His biggest flaw is that he's too unselfish, a great quality he shares with many of the past stars we have recruited here. We are really excited about what Zay is and will be in the Green and Gold."


Carson Dorgu 6'7 Forward
Ashwaubenon High School (WI)
Carson Dorgu joins the Wildcats as a top talent out of Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. Averaging 10.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on 58.4% shooting, he earned Second Team All-Fox River Classic honors last season after receiving Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition as a sophomore. Known for his versatility and athleticism, Dorgu spent last summer competing with Team 1848 under Coach Mario Charles, where he continued to develop his skills against top-level competition.

Majkrzak on Dorgu: "Carson came to our elite camp and just blew us away. We knew he was a good player, but he was dominant in the paint and showcased versatility with his passing and feel for the game. He's got every skill you could ask for out of a combo forward, and we think he has a chance to develop into a great inside-out matchup nightmare throughout his career."


Connor Johnson 6'8 Forward
Grand Rapids Christian (MI)
Connor Johnson joins the Wildcats after averaging nine points and six rebounds per game and earning a 2024-25 OK-White All-Conference selection for Grand Rapids Christian. He was also a key contributor in the 2023-24 season that ended with a Division two state runner-up finish. Known for versatility and shot blocking, Johnson also earned an invitation to the 2025 Michigan Elite 25 Camp. He also competed for Indiana GAME, playing under Coach Jack Cundiff. 

Majkrzak on Johnson: "One of the coaches in our league told me, Connor just moves and plays like a Northern Michigan forward, and we couldn't agree more. He's extremely mobile and a fluid athlete at 6'8 and has a beautiful jumpshot that keeps getting better. He's a great rim protector who just has a knack for blocking shots and getting his hands on the ball. We are thrilled about him and the fit with NMU." 


Stephen McGee V 6'11 Forward
Greenway High School (MN)
Stephen McGee V joins the Wildcats as a dominant defensive enforcer throughout his Greenway High School career. A three-time All-Iron Range Conference selection, earning honors as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, he also reached the milestone of becoming a 1,000-point scorer. McGee V played with the Minnesota Comets AAU program under Chris Lewis. 

Majkrzak on McGee: "It's not often we get chances to recruit 6'11 players. It's even less often that they can run really well and have great hands. You throw in that he's very humble and wants to be coached, and we feel very lucky to have Stephen in Green and Gold. He will be one of the biggest and longest players at the D2 level, and a great rim protector from day one. On offense, he is a lob threat that uses his quickness and length to be an elite pick-and-roll player."