Wayne State University Athletics

Men's Basketball 12/4/2022 6:20:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Men's Basketball Signs Three For 2023-24

Ayrault, Briggs and Ward to become Warriors next fall.

DETROIT -- First-year Wayne State University head men's basketball coach Bryan Smothers, along with assistants Raymoan McAfee, Jr., Will Vergollo and Matt Bullinger, has signed three high school seniors to a National Letter of Intent.

Joining the Warriors in the fall of 2023 will be guard Adam Ayrault (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North), guard Jordan Briggs (Muskegon, Mich. / Muskegon), and forward Hutch Ward (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Kalamazoo Central).

"First off, I want to thank our coaching staff for their ability to identify many quality, prospective student-athletes early in the process," commented Smothers. "Throughout the spring and summer, we evaluated hundreds of players, and we are very excited about the three we have signed this early signing period. Jordan, Hutch and Adam are all great fits for our program. They each have the academic, character and talent identity we are looking for. It's rare that you find that combination from student-athletes, who are also fully bought in to what we are building here at WSU. Credit that to the strong foundation and support they have from their families and coaches."

Adam Ayrault, G, 6-5, 175, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Grosse Pointe North High School ... will be a four-year letterwinner for the Norseman ... received Honorable Mention All-State Division 1 accolades from both the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press as a junior ... averaged 17 points per game in 12 contests as a sophomore (season shortened due to COVID) ... averaged over 24 points per contest as a junior ... scored 36 points in a district playoff game vs. Hamtramck ... played summer ball for the Nike Meanstreets EYBL and coach Tai Streets.

Personal: Full name--Adam G. Ayrault ... born on February 16, 2005, in Detroit ... son of Andrew and Kimberly Ayrault ... both parents played basketball for the Tartars ... dad scored 919 points, while playing 2500 minutes (1989-93), and mom played in 88 games (1990-94) ... has an older set of twins - Joey and Julia ... Julia is a senior at Michigan State and has played nearly 1,000 minutes ... has a twin sister, Annabel, who also signed with Wayne State for 2023 ... is undecided on academic major

Coach Smothers on Ayrault
"Adam is a WSU legacy, so being a Warrior is truly in his blood. He was the first player we offered in this class, and we are really excited to have him officially on board. Adam is an excellent student, achieving a 4.0 GPA thus far in high school. On the court, he is a do-it-all player who has a very high ceiling."

Jordan Briggs, G, 6-0, 158, Muskegon, Mich. / Muskegon
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Muskegon High School ... will be a three-year letterwinner for the Big Reds and coach Keith Guy ... named to the 2022 Associated Press and Detroit Free Press Division 1 Second Team All-State squads after averaging 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals per contest, while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc ... selected to the 2021-22 BCAM's Best for Division 1 ... garnered Muskegon Area Player of the Year accolades in 2022 ... averaged 14 points per contest as a sophomore ... was a two-year basketball team captain ... received BCAM Academic All-State honors as a junior ... also earned three varsity letters in cross country ... is a member of the National Honor Society ... played summer ball for the Reach Legends and coach Anthony Sydnor Jr.

Personal: Full name--Jordan J. Briggs ... born on February 2, 2005, in Muskegon ... son of Michael and Carmela Bradford ... has two brothers, Jaylin and Michael, and an older sister, Tiasia ... is undecided on academic major.

Coach Smothers on Briggs
"Jordan is the leader of this recruiting class. From the first time he came to campus, he truly valued everything we are about here at WSU. Jordan is a really quick, smart and tough basketball player. He will come to us with a great foundation to succeed early in his career on and off the court."

Hutch Ward, F, 6-8, 205, Kalamazoo, Mich. / Kalamazoo Central
High School: Will be a 2023 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School ... will be a four-year letterwinner for coach Ramsey Nichols ... selected to the BCAM 2021-22 Division 1 All-State Honorable Mention Team after averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game as a junior ... named to the MLive Kalamazoo Area Dream Team in 2022 ... earned All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors ... helped the Giants reach the state quarterfinals as a junior ... tallied 25 points in a double-overtime win over Okemos in the 2022 state playoffs ... received 2022-23 Preseason First Team accolades from Michiana Hoops ... played summer ball for the Michigan Cagers and coach John Strong.

Personal: Full name--Hutch W. Ward ... born on July 27, 2005, in Kalamazoo ... son of Chad and Jodi Ward ... plans to major in Secondary Education.

Coach Smothers on Ward
"Hutch is a really talented basketball player and was recruited by a majority of the teams in the GLIAC. He will provide a high level of shooting, skill and competitiveness. He is a great fit for our program and our style of play."

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