ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana head men's basketball coach Tom Jessee and his staff have announced the program's incoming 2023 recruiting class. It consists of 11 incoming freshmen.

"We are very excited about this incoming recruiting class," said Jessee. "They all fit the mold of what it means to be an Augustana men's basketball player. They are highly motivated student athletes that excel both on the court and in the classroom."
 
Eli Aldana is a 6-0, 175-pound point guard from Steamwood, Ill. and Saint Viator High School. During his career, Aldana became the first player to be a three-time Most Valuable Player in the Saint Viator basketball program. He is a three-time Daily Herald All-Area selection and has been named ESCC All-Conference three times. 

Zach Anderson is a 6-3, 175-pound shooting guard from Scottsdale, Ariz. out of Desert Mountain High School. While at Desert Mountain, Anderson was a two-time All-Region selection, earning the recognition both his junior and senior seasons. He also was named the Desert Mountain High School Offensive Player of the Year in 2021-22.

Ethan Andre is a 6-0, 165-pound guard from Belvidere, Ill. and Belvidere North High School. Andre racked up numerous accolades during his high school career, including NIC-10 First Team All-Conference after leading the league in scoring. He was named Team MVP and Team Captain in his senior season and was also a NIC-10 Scholar Athlete, IBCA All-State Academic Team member, and Illinois State Scholar. 

Andrew Ayeni, a 6-3, 205-pound combo guard from Chicago, Ill., was voted the team MVP this past season at Saint Patrick High School. He earned ESCC All-Conference during the 2022-23 season and was a special mention in the 3A IBCA All-State Team. Additionally, Ayeni garnered Honorable Mention by the Chicago Sun Times following the 2022-23 campaign and also racked up All-Tournament accolades at both the Josh Tosh Tournament and St. Patrick-GBN Thanksgiving Tournament.

Maddux Dieckman, a 6-6 center, was a part of the Moline High School boys basketball team that won the 4A State Basketball championship this past season, serving as a team captain for their record-setting 35-3 campaign. The Maroons also capped off an undefeated Western Big 6 slate, becoming the first team since 2016 to finish without a loss in conference play. Dieckman posted 10 points in the team's WB6 finale over Alleman in mid-February to help clinch the perfect season in the league.
 
Justin Garcia is a 5-10, 150-pound guard from Gilbert, Ariz. He attended Campo Verde High School where he is coming off a 5A Arizona State Championship. Garcia scored 13 points in the 61-48 title game victory.

Hunter Guiles is a 6-1, 180-pound guard from Highlands Ranch, Colo. and Valor Christian High School. Guiles ranked top ten in the state of Colorado throughout all classes in three-point percentage, and led his team in rebounds this past season. He is a three-time varsity letter winner and captain, and was also a member of National Honor Roll Cum Laude Society. Guiles also was recognized as All-State Academic.

Ray Maurchie, a 6'5, 180-pound wing player from Winnebago, Ill., is a 1,000-point scorer at Winnebago High School. He was named to the 2023 IBCA State All-Star Team, as well as the Rockford Rising Stars Classic. He was a First Team All-Conference selection in the Big Northern in 2022-23 after earning Second Team in 2021-22. Back in December, he was awarded All-Tournament Team at the State Farm Holiday Classic.

Jackson Parcel is a 6-1, 155-pound guard from Casey-Westfield High School in Martinsville, Ill. Parcel earned First Team All-Conference in the Little Illini in both his junior and senior seasons and was a part of the regional championship team this past year. Additionally, Parcel notched Third Team All-State and was First Team ABV All-South in 2022-23. Back in November, he was named to the Cumberland Thanksgiving Tournament All-Tournament Team.

Nikola Raic is a 6-6, 220-pound forward from Evanston, Ill. and Evanston Township High School. The Honor Roll student comes to Augustana after helping lead his team to 24-9 record this past season.

Malcolm Smith a 6-4, 190-point shooting guard from Scottsdale, Ariz. He was a two-year starter at Bella Vista College Prep School.