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Wayne State University Athletics

2026-27 MBKB Newcomers

Men's Basketball Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Men's Basketball Program Signs Four High School Recruits

James, Mason, Miller and Wilson will join the Warriors this fall.

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball program led by head coach Bryan Smothers, who will be entering his fifth season this fall, has signed four high school student athletes for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.

Joining the Warriors this fall will be forwards Braden James (Grand Ledge, Mich.) and Jimmy Miller (Schoolcraft, Mich.), along with guards Da'ron Mason (Pontiac, Mich. / Bloomfield Hills) and Julius Wilson (Clinton Township, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North).

Braden James, F, 6-9, 210, Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge
High School:  Will be a 2026 graduate of Grand Ledge High School ... was a four-year letterwinner for coach Luke Charter ... earned Honorable Mention All-Capital Area Athletic Conference (CAAC) recognition in both 2025 and 2026 ... averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and 2.5 assists per game ... received Academic All-CAAC accolades ... was a three-year team captain ... played summer ball for the Grand Rapids Storm and coach Jason Martin.

Personal:  Full name -- Braden D. James ... born on July 14, 2007, in Grand Ledge, Mich. ... son of Daniel and Allison James ... has an older sister, Jenna ... is undecided on academic major.

Coaching Staff on Braden James:  "Braden proved to be one of the best big men in the state for multiple years during his high school and AAU career, capping with an All-State Honorable Mention selection his senior year.  It was evident early in the recruiting process that Braden and his family are great fits for our program.  He showed great enthusiasm to be recruited by us, and an appreciation for what Wayne State University has to offer on and off the court.  In the classroom, Braden is an accomplished student.  He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to his schoolwork, while also being actively engaged in his school community.  We look forward to the impact Braden will make on our campus for years to come.  On the court, Braden has the competitive character and skillset that we value.  He is a versatile big man that can play inside-out, creating for himself and his teammates.  Braden is just scratching the surface and with his work ethic, and our commitment to the process, Braden will maximize his potential.  We are excited for him to compete in the Green and Gold."

Da'ron Mason, G, 6-4, 185, Pontiac, Mich. / Bloomfield Hills
High School:  Will be a 2026 graduate of Bloomfield Hills High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for coach Brian Canfield ... helped the Black Hawks to a 20-4 record as a senior, including a 10-0 mark in the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division ... voted 2026 Detroit Free Press Player of the Year after averaging 18.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals per contest ... selected to the 2026 BCAM Division 1 All-State First Team ... named to the 2024-25 BCAM Division 1 Honorable Mention All-State team ... scored 1,246 points during prep career ... was a multiple-year team captain ... plays during the summer for the Rice Basketball Academy and coach Geoff Morning.

Personal:  Full name -- Da'ron T. Mason ... born on April 22, 2008, in Pontiac, Mich. ... son of Da'ron Mason and Lynetra Stevens ... has a younger sister, Londyn ... plans to major in Marketing ... first name is pronounced DUH-ron.

Coaching Staff on Da'ron Mason:  "Da'ron is from nearby Bloomfield Hills High School.  His high school career included recognition as the 2026 Detroit Free Press Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and a Division 1 All-State selection by BCAM.  From the moment we first started recruiting Da'ron after our 2025 team camps, it was evident that he and his family were perfect fits for our program.  Da'ron is a two-way player that has as high of a ceiling as any guard that we have coached.  He competes with tenacity, enthusiasm, and love for the game.  He is loved by his coaches and teammates and fits right into our culture.  Da'ron will be a core piece for our success in the years to come.  Off the court Da'ron is a joy to be around.  He has great character, a high care level for his teammates, and he excels in the classroom.  We are excited to watch how he impacts our university community during his time at Wayne State."

Jimmy Miller, F, 6-10, 240, Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft
High School:  Will be a 2026 graduate of Schoolcraft High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Eagles and coach Derrick Small ... helped SHS to a combined 42-11 record in his first two years on varsity (2024 and 2025), which included seven playoff victories ... missed freshman season with an injury ... received First Team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors as a junior after helping the squad to a SWAC Valley Division title (10-0 record) as a sophomore ... selected to the 2025 BCAM Division 3 Honorable Mention All-State Team ... served as a basketball team captain as a senior ... also played football for SHS ... plays summer ball for the Phenom United and coach George Howard ... ranked No. 38 in Michigan in the top 200 in the class of 2026 by MittenPrepHoops.com.

Personal:  Full name -- William J. Miller IV ... born on January 9, 2008, in Grand Rapids, Mich. ... son of William Miller and Kristin McNally ... father played football and mother played basketball at Western Michigan ... father totaled 20 tackles (10-10) in 23 games for the Broncos from 2001-03 ... mother was inducted into the WMU Hall of Fame in 2013 after scoring 1,452 points ... has a younger brother, Grady, and two sisters, Mackenzie and Hazel ... Mackenzie was a senior on the WSU women's basketball squad this past season ... plans to major in Business.

Coaching Staff on Jimmy Miller:  "Jimmy had a standout prep career at Schoolcraft High School, which included being named First Team All-State in Division 3 while leading his team to multiple championship seasons.  Jimmy has a chance to be a high-level collegiate player due to the unique combination of size, skill and athleticism that he possesses.  His court vision and ability to play inside and outside make him a versatile piece to our program.  His sister, Mackenzie Miller, just graduated from Wayne State after a successful career on the women's basketball team.  Jimmy fully understands what it means to be a Warrior and has a passion for Wayne State.  Off the court, Jimmy is joy to be around and we are very excited to see him in a Wayne State jersey."

Julius Wilson, G, 6-2, 180, Clinton Township, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North
High School:  Will be a 2026 graduate of L'Anse Creuse North High School ... was a two-year letterwinner for the Crusaders and coach Kurt Wilson, his grandfather ... serving as a basketball team captain as a senior ... drained a buzzer-beater in a December 2025 61-60 win over Troy Athens ... also competed in football and track ... attended Warren De La Salle the first two-and-a-half years of his prep career ... caught seven passes as a junior for the WDLSHS Pilots football squad. 

Personal:  Full name -- Julius A. J. Wilson ... born on January 6, 2008 ... son of Maceo and Natasha Wilson ... has a younger brother, Larry ... is undecided on academic major.

Coaching Staff on Julius Wilson:  "Julius is from nearby L'Anse Creuse North High School.  Julius is a leader and a winner.  He had an impressive high school career including scoring over 1,000 points, while leading his teams to district championships in all four seasons.  Julius demands the respect of his coaches and teammates with how he carries himself on and off the court.  We are thrilled to add Julius to our program and believe his intensity on the defensive end of the court to go along with his ability to play multiple positions, will lead to a successful career within our program.  His passion for Wayne State was clear in our recruitment and we look forward to coaching him in the Green and Gold."

Wayne State graduated seven players from the 2025-26 squad which compiled a 13-14 overall mark, along with a 10-10 record in league play.
 
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Players Mentioned

Mackenzie Miller

#42 Mackenzie Miller

F
5' 11"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Mackenzie Miller

#42 Mackenzie Miller

5' 11"
Senior
F