ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul men's basketball head coach Matt Fletcher has announced his first signing class at the helm for the Golden Bears with the addition of five signees for the upcoming 2020-21 season.
 
The signing class includes two transfers, both from the University of South Dakota, in addition to three preps, two from Minnesota and one from Illinois.
 
Fletcher on the signing class: "This class will be one I will always remember. Not only is it my first class as a DII head coach, we had to do it during a quarantine within a month span. With that being said, we feel like we hit it out of the park. When you can add two DI transfers and three very talented high school players, you feel like your program is in great shape moving forward. The best part about this class is that they are GREAT people. They will fit our culture and locker room we are building perfectly. I cannot wait to see them this fall."
 
Caden Hoffman (G, 6-0, 175, So., Scottsdale, Ariz. / Rancho Solano Prep / South Dakota)
South Dakota
2019-20: Appeared in six games … made career debut against Texas Southern (Nov. 15) … recorded first career points against Peru State … recorded first career rebound the same game … averaged 2.8 minutes per game.
 
2018-19: Redshirted, did not play.
 
Rancho Solano Prep: Arizona State Champion with Rancho Solano Prep in 2018 … averaged 10 points, four rebounds and four assists for a squad that went 27-5 … earned all-state accolades following senior campaign … two-time all-conference selection.
 
Personal: Son of Cara and Scott … plans to major in kinesiology and sport management.
 
Fletcher on Hoffman: "Caden is natural born leader and winner. His ability to own a room and earn the respect from his teammates is evident. His ability to shoot the ball and be such a great unselfish passer, will make him deadly for us. Not to mention, he's an awesome young man."
 
Matt Johns (F, 6-8, 230, Jr., Geelong, Australia / Belmont HS / South Dakota)
South Dakota
2019-20: Played in six games … grabbed a season-high two rebounds against Denver (Jan. 5) … saw 31 minutes of action on the season including a season-high 10 minutes against Denver (Jan. 5). 
 
2018-19: Played in 19 games making 10 starts as a true freshman … made collegiate debut against York (Nov. 7) … earned first-career start vs. UMBC at the Bimini Jam (Nov. 19) … scored a season-high 10 points in victory over Purdue Fort Wayne (Jan. 13) … went 4-of-4 from the field in the game … secured season-best five rebounds at Omaha (Jan. 20) … averaged 15.7 minutes per game … shot .472 from the field.
 
Belmont High School: Member of the Australia National Team at the 2015 U16 Oceania Championship and the 2016 U17 World Championship … helped Australia to the Gold Medal in 2015 … earned a scholarship to the Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport … received an invite to the training camp for the Boomers, the Australian National Team, in July of 2017 … played for Geelong Supercats of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) in 2017-18 … made 45.8 percent of his 3-point attempts in 23 games … twice named the Victoria Country Junior Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Personal: Son of Mandy and Mal … elementary education major.
 
Fletcher on Johns: "I like to call Matt 'The Unicorn'. How often can you find a 6'8" ball handler that is an elite passer? We are so excited to use him in unique ways to bring his gifts to life. The sky is the limit for this kid and he has the attitude to get there."
 
Jax Madson (G, 6-2, 187, Fr., Mankato, Minn. / Mankato East HS)
Mankato East High School: Lettered in basketball and football for the Cougars … three-time All-Big 9 Conference and three-time All-City in basketball … two-time team captain … also named All-Conference and All-City in football … set the program record with 1,495 career points, 252 career threes made and 200 career steals … averaged 20.5 points, 3.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game as a junior and 16.4 points, 2.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game as a senior … helped the team to two conference titles and a region title, compiling a 76-14 record over three years.
 
Personal: Undecided on a major at Concordia … has two cousins that played basketball at Bethel and another that played baseball at Gustavus.
 
Fletcher on Madson: "Jax is a coach's kid, tough as nails, smart, and can shoot the lights out. He has a chip on his shoulder and I am excited to see what he can accomplish. When you know the player wants it as bad as him, you know his future is bright."
 
Simeon Sharp (G, 6-1, 170, Fr., St. Paul, Minn. / Harding HS)
Harding High School: Lettered three times in basketball for the Knights … two-time All-St. Paul City Conference while being named Conference Co-Player of the Year as a senior … All-Conference honorable mention as a sophomore … scored over 1,000 points in his career … averaged 23.0 points per game as a senior, including an eight-game stretch where he averaged 29.9 … scored 58 points against St. Paul Washington … averaged 18.8 points as a junior and 12.6 points as a sophomore … helped the team to their first two winning seasons in over a decade.
 
Personal: Undecided on a major at Concordia.
 
Fletcher on Sharp: "Simeon is a big-time playmaker. Nothing better than keeping such a talented and phenomenal person in St. Paul. The sky is the limit for him and I cannot wait to see what he transforms into over the next several years."
 
Marcus Skeete (G/F, 6-5, 190, Fr., Aurora, Ill. / Waubonsie Valley HS)
Waubonsie Valley High School: Lettered three times in basketball for the Warriors … named team captain as a senior … NCTV17 Naperville Sports Male Athlete of the Year … DuPage County MVP … IBCA All-State Second Team … three-time All-DuPage Valley Conference and three-time Naperville Sun All-Area Team … averaged 17.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game … helped the team to a regional title his junior season … ranked fifth all-time in program history with 1,305 points while his 684 rebounds ranked third and his 230 assists ranked ninth.
 
Personal: Son of Kashim and Teressa … has an older brother and a twin sister … plans to major in business and minor in sports management at Concordia.
 
Fletcher on Skeete: "It isn't easy to find big, strong, athletic wings that can shoot the lights out. We found a gem in Marcus. His character and great attitude gives him the chance to be something special. CSP will love this young man."