Valparaiso University men’s basketball head coach Matt Lottich announced today that the Crusaders are adding to their tradition of welcoming international players to the program, as Marten Linssen, a 6’8” forward from Dusseldorf, Germany, has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Crusader program as a freshman for the 2017-18 season.

“We are extremely excited to add Marten to the Valpo basketball family,” said Lottich. “Marten is an extremely motivated young man who really has a strong desire to compete. Marten is unique in that he is very light on his feet for a young man his size. He has great touch around the basket and loves to rebound. We expect a bright future in a Valpo uniform for Marten.”

Linssen comes to Valpo having most recently played for Bayer Giants Leverkusen in Germany, splitting time between their Pro B league squad and their youth team in the NBBL. Linssen was a member of the NBBL All-Star Team this past season, averaging 12.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and posted 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in action with the Pro B team. Linssen’s head coach at Bayer Giants Leverkusen is Achim Kuczmann, who coached Lottich when he played in Germany for Giants Dusseldorf.

As has been the case with many of the Crusaders’ overseas recruits over the years, Linssen brings experience playing at the highest levels of international basketball as well. He was a member of the u18 German national team at the 2016 u18 European Championships, joining a talented frontcourt to help Germany place fourth. Among his teammates on the u18 squad was Isaiah Hartenstein, a projected first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft.

Linssen is set to be the sixth new face on the court for the Crusaders next season, joining fellow incoming freshmen Mileek McMillan and Parker Hazen, junior college transfer Markus Golder and eligible transfers Joe Burton and Bakari Evelyn. In addition, Ryan Fazekas is joining the program as well, but will be sitting out next season due to NCAA transfer regulations.