Grand Valley State head men's basketball coach Ric Wesley announced the addition of Jake Van Tubbergen to the Laker basketball program and the team's 2017-18 recruiting class. Van Tubbergen is the first member of the upcoming recruiting class and will be eligible to play for GVSU next season.
 
Named to the Ottawa-Kent Red All-Conference Team last season, the 6'6" guard/forward combo had a strong junior season at West Ottawa High School, as he averaged 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Van Tubbergen shot 56 percent from the field and 72 percent at the line as a junior, helping the Panthers to a 15-game season-opening win streak, a 17-4 overall record, and the first OK Red Conference championship in 12 years.
 
"We are very happy to welcome Jake to our program," Wesley explained. "He's a long, versatile player who can score in a variety of ways. He comes from a strong program and you can tell he has been well coached. Once Jake adds additional strength, we think he will be an outstanding GLIAC player."
 
Van Tubbergen enters his senior season under West Ottawa head coach Steve Windemuller after a junior campaign where he received All-State honorable mention plaudits and was voted West Ottawa's most valuable player. Twice he has been named to the All-Zeeland East Holiday Tournament Team, as the Panthers won that tournament last season.
 
He has also played high school football at West Ottawa, located in Holland, Mich.
 
The 2016-17 Lakers begin their regular season on Friday night (Nov. 11) at the GLIAC-GLVC Challenge in St. Louis, Missouri against Quincy.