Michigan Talent Shines on Buffalo Hardwood

Seven student-athletes from the state of Michigan are contributing members of UB's men's and women's basketball programs

BUFFALO - As both the men's and women's basketball teams continue to improve, the attraction for freshmen to attend UB is improving as well. Over the past few seasons, both programs have been broadening their recruiting horizons, trying to expand to areas throughout the country. Recently, head coaches Reggie Witherspoon and Cheryl Dozier have had a gold rush on student-athletes from Michigan. With the men's team having four players hailing from Michigan and the women having three, Buffalo is becoming a hotbed for athletes from the Great Lake State.

Robert Brown

Robert Brown (Detroit, MI/ Oak Park), Mark Bortz (Commerce Township/Walled Lake Central), Jason Bird (Ypsilanti, MI/Ypsilanti) and Daniel Gilbert (Detroit, MI/Cass Technical) are all intricate parts to the men's squad as Kim Kilpela (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield), Jessica Kochendorfer (Allen, MI/Quincy) and Virginia Jennings (Nashville, MI/Hastings) are for the women.

Robert Brown, who played his high school ball at Oak Park in Detroit, had been well-traveled in the collegiate ranks before finding his niche at Alumni Arena. After an All-Star career at Oak Park, the 6-4 power forward who plays like Charles Barkley, stayed in Michigan to attend fellow MAC school Central Michigan where he saw limited time but ironically had game highs in both scoring and rebounding against the Bulls. After a year as a Chippewa, Brown transferred to Schoolcraft Junior College where he was named an NJCAA All-American, averaging 18 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Coach Witherspoon and his staff took notice of Brown's monster season, and a year later, he was donning the Blue and White of the Bulls.

A strong 2000-01 season was imminent for Brown after scoring 25 points and grabbing 13 boards against Niagara in his first game as a Bull. He finished the campaign averaging team highs in points and rebounds with 15.3 and 5.7, respectively. This season, Brown has continued putting up strong numbers (9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds per game) while also becoming a strong floor general.

Brown decided on UB because he still had a desire to play in the MAC, and since Buffalo is not very far from Detroit, he didn't have a long way to go. This proximity was also a factor in UB's freshman big man Mark Bortz's decision to attend UB.

Mark Bortz

"I believe distance is a factor when you're deciding where to go to school," said Bortz. "I know that for me, UB was not too far from home. It was close enough that I could go home for the weekend, and there were already Michigan guys here so I could get a ride home."

Bortz, who chose Buffalo over Drake, Central Michigan and Marquette, is having a very productive year as one of the Bulls' key reserves. With a massive 6-10 frame that strikes fear in opponents' eyes as they drive to the hoop, Bortz has instantly become a fan favorite. While averaging 5.5 points per game off the bench, as well as being a prominent shot-blocker, Bortz is not afraid to bury a long ball. The big guy has hit 6-of-15 from downtown thus far and continues to be a fearful presence down low with his back to the basket.

Hailing from Commerce Township, Bortz was a Top 30 player in Michigan's elite Class A Conference while attending Walled Lake Central High School. Bortz put up impressive numbers his senior year en route to a nomination for the McDonald's All-American Team, which showcases the nation's top high school ball players.

Bortz will be one of the cornerstones to a bright future for Witherspoon's steadily-improving team. Bortz has confidence that he and the Bulls will see success in the future, and possibly put on some dancing shoes in the month of March.

"I strongly believe UB can earn an NCAA Tournament berth - that's what I came here to do," Bortz stated. "This team needs to continue to work tirelessly to improve everyday."

Daniel Gilbert

Fellow freshman and Michigan-born teammate Daniel Gilbert couldn't agree with Bortz more. "I really, truly believe that it will happen before I graduate," said the 6-6 guard from Detroit.

Gilbert, who graduated from Cass Technical High School, is one of five Bulls to have played in every single game this season. A reason for that could be his versatility, as he can shoot as well as take the ball inside. Gilbert is currently 11-of-39 from behind the three-point arc and continues to give the Bulls quality minutes off the bench. Gilbert proved he has big game capabilities after an 11-point outing against Tulsa and 10 points against Northern Illinois in just 11 and 15 minutes of play, respectively.

After a successful senior season at Cass where he averaged 22 points and 14 rebounds and earned Detroit Free Press All-Metro Honorable Mention honors, Gilbert choose UB over San Diego State, Toledo and Albany.

Jason Bird

With Gilbert, Bortz and the third Michigan freshman, Jason Bird, the Bulls have a very solid nucleus to build around. Bird, a 6-4 guard from Ypsilanti High School, was Ann Arbor News' Co-Player of the Year when, as a senior, he lead his team in scoring, assists, rebounding and steals. Being a threat from the perimeter, Bird is another key reserve for the Bulls. With him and his other Michigan classmates complimenting the other Bulls returning next season, Bird is optimistic about the future of the men's basketball program.

"I was attracted to UB because of the coaching staff, the Business School's reputation and my recruiting class," he said. "Coming to UB was an opportunity to be a large part of the foundation of the University's rise to national basketball prominence."

Now to the ladies. Coach Dozier's Michigan trio are all vital members to her team. Perhaps the most promising aspect about the trio is that they are all sophomores. Led by Jessica Kochendorfer from Allen, MI, these ladies account for three of the Bulls' top four scorers.

Jessica Kochendorfer

A 6-1 forward, Kochendorfer is one of the Bulls' most complete players. A threat down low who can also hit the three, Kochendorfer is currently averaging 14.4 points per game to go with her 7.5 rebounds per game, both team highs.

After a strong career at Quincy High School, Kochendorfer chose UB over Kent State, feeling comfortable with the coaching staff and the school's proximity to her home. At Quincy, Kochendorfer was a four-time All-Conference selection and a three-time team MVP. Her junior and senior season performances earned her an All-State selection and a spot on the Detroit Free Press Top 25 Team.

Kim Kilpela

Kochendorfer's fellow front court player, Kim Kilpela, has posted a similar resume. In addition to receiving a slew of other accolades while at West Bloomfield High School, the Detroit Free Press ranked Kilpela as a Top 5 player in Michigan. Kilpela, who was actively recruited by Michigan, Ohio, Kent State and Dayton, felt UB was the perfect fit for her coming out of high school.

"I've known Coach Dozier for several years, and she is what first attracted me to UB," she said. "As soon as I visited the campus here and met the rest of the staff, I knew I wanted to go here."

Kilpela was a Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team selection after her rookie campaign, and she is currently averaging 9.6 points and 6.7 rebounds during her sophomore season. With her and Kochendorfer likely being the front court incumbents for the next few seasons, an NCAA tournament bid might not be too far away.

"Most of us have a couple of more years to play together, so I think we have a good shot," said Kilpela.

They do have a shot, especially when you throw 5-6 spark plug Virginia Jennings into the mix. The flashy point guard from Nashville, MI is one of the Bulls' most versatile and energetic ball players. With the ability to shot, drive, and dish, Jennings is a huge asset to Coach Dozier's young team.

Virginia Jennings

One of the Bulls' floor leaders, Jennings is a co-captain this season and has had a very productive sophomore campaign, averaging 6.6 points per game to compliment her 4.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per contest.

While at Hastings High School, Jennings made a name for herself after putting up huge numbers for a point guard during her senior year. With 14.9 points, 5.2 boards, 4.8 assists and 4.9 steals per game, Jennings drew the attention of numerous Division I schools, but she chose UB over Western Michigan, Washington State, Southeast Missouri State and Navy.

These three student-athletes are very formidable weapons for the Bulls. With a young team and a solid foundation to build upon, this Bulls' squad has an extremely bright future. The same can be said for the men with their talented Michigan trio.

With these Michigan athletes finding success here at Buffalo, the recruiting doors will hopefully be open for more athletes from around the country, helping UB expand its recruiting base. With the success of these seven athletes and both programs steadily improving, high school standouts from Michigan, Buffalo, and all over America may possibly be adding UB to their list of schools.

So what new faces will be wearing the Blue and White in the years to come? Whoever they are, wherever they come from, these new faces will be entering basketball programs on the brink of becoming contenders.

02/26/2002