MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University head men's basketball coach Brad Bigler announced on Friday three high school and one transfer standouts have signed letters of intent to continue their academic and basketball careers at SMSU.
 
Joining the program for the 2024-25 season include high school seniors Landon Pokorski from Gretna, Neb., Isaiah Schafer from Bismarck, N.D., and Micah Schlaak from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, while Steven Kramer from Johnston, Iowa, joins the program after spending two seasons at the University of South Dakota.
 
"This recruiting class was fun. It brought back many memories," Bigler said. "This class represents the Mustang family. Three of the four players had a brother play in the program. We are proud to keep the tradition going."
 
Pokorski, a 6-foot-1 guard at Gretna High School, was a four-year starter and closed his career as the program's all-time leader in points, assists and free throws made. A three-time all-conference honoree, he finished his career scoring 1,517 points, dishing out 407 assists and making 324 free throws. He also connected on 147 career 3-pointers. He is a two-time Nebraska Super State first team honoree and was named Greater Omaha Player of the Year following his senior season.
 
"Landon's accolades speak for themselves but this past season was an emotional roller coaster," Bigler said. "Landon's high school coach passed away from cancer during the season. It affected the whole state and with spotlight on the team, Landon helped lead his team back to a state tournament. Landon's leadership style reminds me of SMSU Alum Ryan Krome. His game reminds me of SMSU alums Shaun Condon and Jon DeRock.
 
Schafer, a 6-foot-1 guard at Bismarck Century High School, is the school's all-time leading scorer with more than 1,500 points and was a three-time all-conference honoree and twice was named all-state. He was named all-state second team as a senior after averaging 20 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was selected to play in the North Dakota Lions All-Star game. Schafer holds the school single season record in 3-pointers (89) and free throw pct. (92.0) and set the team single game record with 11 3-pointers. Isaiah's older brother, Taylor Schafer, played at SMSU from 2015-19, scoring 1,340 points and making 242 3-pointers.
 
"Isaiah is one of those players who can change a game real quick with his ability to shoot." Bigler said. "He truly loves the game. He put in more hours driving in a car than most giving him opportunities to play against some of the best in the country with his AAU team, D1 Minnesota. He reminds me of former SMSU players, Andy Beilke and Nick Dufault."
 
Schlaak, a 6-foot-7 forward at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, helped lead his team to a pair of state tournament appearances and a record of 47-2 his final two seasons, including a Class 4A runner-up finish as a senior. During his senior season, he averaged 12 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 64 percent from the field in earning all-conference first team, all-state third team and selection to the Iowa All-Star game. He was named all-conference second team and all-metro second team as a junior, while leading led the team in rebounding and ranking second in scoring. His older brother, Caleb, is a current member of the SMSU men's basketball team. 
 
"Micah played on one of the best high school teams in the state of Iowa the past two seasons. He knows how to win," Bigler said. "On the court he is the jack of all trades. He is a glue guy that can make plays for himself and others. His length and athletic ability allow for him to be very versatile. He reminds me of SMSU Alums Ross Demasi and Jeremy VanKlompenburg."
 
Kramer, a 6-foot-6 guard, is a transfer from the University of South Dakota and has three seasons of eligibility remaining. He spent two seasons with the Coyotes, redshirting in 2022-23, before playing in 31 games with five starts during the 2023-24 season. He averaged 2.7 points and 2.4 rebounds, shooting 40 percent (30 of 76) from the field, including 8 of 23 from 3-point range. Kramer, who scored a season-high 11 points with five assists in a career-high 29 minutes versus Montana, closed the season dishing out 50 assists and recording 10 steals.
 
Kramer is a 2022 graduate of Johnston High School, where he averaged 17 points and seven rebounds as a senior, while shooting 55 percent from the field as Johnston finished as state runner-up in Class 4A. A team captain, he was twice named all-conference and all-state. As a junior, Kramer averaged a team-high 13 ppg in leading his squad to a runner-up finish at the state tournament. He was ranked by PrepHoops.com as the No. 3-ranked player in Iowa as a senior. Steven's older brother, Grant Kramer, played at SMSU from 2017-22, playing in 82 games and scoring 424 points.
 
"Steven brings an experienced competitive fire that we will need with the graduation of Cliff Cofield and Kyle Luedtke," Bigler said. "He can play any guard position and will add another guy on the floor who can create dominoes. His ability to finish at the rim over smaller guards will be key for us next year. He reminds me of former Mustangs, Jordan Miller, Andrew Peschong and Kevin Andrews."
 
"This recruiting process was rewarding on many levels. We are bringing in some high character guys who have proven they can win," Bigler said. "Each of them have the confidence and a special skill set to compete right away. What makes this group special is that their families understand the process. We still have the ability to add one more guy. At this point, it is more about adding the right person than just bringing in talent. We are excited about the guys in the program."
 
SMSU, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Mustangs advanced to the NCAA tournament for the sixth time in program history this past season closing with a 19-13 overall record, including a fifth-place finish in the NSIC at 14-8.