After bringing back six players from last year’s roster the Northwest College men’s basketball team is set to add nine incoming freshmen to the mix for the upcoming season.

One of the first new recruits will be Powell’s own Gunnar Erickson, who is set to join the Trappers after being part of a state championship team in Powell and an All-State selection.

“I’m looking forward to coaching Gunnar,” coach Andy Ward said. “He’s got a lot of intangibles. Getting on the loose ball, making extra effort pays. I think that’s something that he’ll do, he’s tough. He’s got to work on things just like everybody else.”

The second in-state recruit is Theran Archibald from Green River, a shooting guard who was an All-State selection in 4A and was the 4A West Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 19.5 points per game.

“I was really impressed with Theran when he came up for his workout,” Ward said. “He can really shoot the ball. I knew he could shoot the ball, but he shot the ball exceptionally well in his workout … He’s got a really long reach and I think he moves his feet pretty well. He’s got to get stronger, we’ll help him with that.”

Another new 3A Trapper is Eli Patterson from Buffalo, who is a four time All-State selection who averaged 14.2 points during his senior season.

“I’m really excited about Eli,” Ward said. “I watched Eli quite a bit during the year and we had him up for a couple workouts and I feel like he’s so well-rounded … He’s a good passer, he’s a good defender, he’s a good shooter from different areas of the floor … I’m really excited about having Eli in the program.”

The final Wyoming recruit for the Trappers is Trey Rinn from Douglas, a two time All-State selection who averaged 15.9 points per game his senior season.

“Another one that is a really well-rounded player,” Ward said. “He has a good understanding of the game, can shoot the ball and I think he’s really coachable.”

Another Trapper recruit is R’Zha Whittle from Las Vegas, a center who will add some height to the Trappers.

“He’s something that we didn’t have last year, a bigger body, 6 feet, 8 inches, he’s got broad shoulders. A big bodied kid that’s strong and has good hands,” Ward said. “He’s capable of stepping out and shooting it. So he’s got a pretty good skill level.”

Joining Whittle from Las Vegas will be his teammate Jordan Childress, a point guard who could contribute for the Trappers.

“He’s got a really good attitude, he’s a good athlete; quick, good with the ball and a good on-ball defender,” Ward said. “I think he’s got some development to make in overall scoring, but I think he doesn’t have to score to be on the court for us. I think as he improves his ability to score, he’s a guy that could step in and help us.”

Heading north for a recruit the Trappers found guard Tate Monroe from Cut Bank, Montana, a point guard who should help set up his teammates throughout the year.

“He could probably play the off guard, he could probably play both spots but I like him at a point because he really looks to pass first and he finds open guys,” Ward said. “He throws the ball to guys when they’re open, and he gets it there on time. That’s a hard thing to teach. He just kind of has a knack for it.”

The final two recruits for the Trappers come to Powell from Europe, starting with Ants-Kristjan Kalmus from Rapla, Estonia.

“He’s a 7 footer,” Ward said. “Gives us more of a presence inside. He’s not as strong as R’Zha but he’s 7 feet. He’s capable of playing inside and out because he has a pretty good skill set. As he gets stronger, I think he’s going to develop as we work with him on his interior game.”

The final recruit for the Trappers is Ruben Bos, a 6-foot-9 forward from Putten, Netherlands, another player expected to give Northwest more size inside while continuing to develop areas of his game.

“He has the ability to score in the open floor, he can drive the ball a little bit and he can shoot a little bit,” Ward said. “I think probably the area we need him to develop is with his back to the basket.”

Those nine will join six returning Trappers as they try to improve their record from 14-18 a year ago.