University of St. Thomas Athletics
Men's Basketball welcomes four signees for 2022-23
11/10/2021 12:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
St. Thomas Men's Basketball Head Coach Johnny Tauer announces the 2022 Tommie Signing Class
The signing class features four student-athletes, including three from Minnesota and one from Wisconsin.
The Tommies signing class of 2022 student athletes is ranked #52 of 368 schools according to Rivals.com. Additionally, only three of the top-50 ranked classes are mid-major schools.
Carter Bjerke – 6'9" forward – Wayzata, Minn.
Kendall Blue – 6'6" guard – Woodbury, Minn.
Ahjany Lee – 6'9" forward – Byron, Minn.
Andrew Rohde – 6'6" guard – Brookfield, Wis.
"We are thrilled to receive commitments from four outstanding seniors," said Coach Tauer. "Ahjany Lee (Totino Grace, D1 Minnesota) and Carter Bjerke (Wayzata, D1 Minnesota) are 6'9" forwards who played together as AAU teammates this past summer and complement each other incredibly well. Kendall Blue (East Ridge HS, D1 Minnesota) and Andrew Rohde (Brookfield Central, Phenom U) are versatile 6'6" guards who impact the game in numerous ways.
"Most important, Ahjany, Carter, Kendall, and Andrew are outstanding people and students, from incredible families who have chosen St. Thomas because of their commitment to comprehensive excellence. Each of them also has a keen understanding of the historic nature of our transition to Division 1, and their ability to be instrumental in that process! We are incredibly grateful to them and their families, and equally excited to work with them at St. Thomas. The legacy of success our program has had rests squarely on the broad shoulders of our former players and the bright future we have in Division 1 is much brighter today with this exciting news from Ahjany, Carter, Kendall, and Andrew."
Coach Tauer on Bjerke: "Carter is a skilled big man with outstanding shooting and passing skills," added Coach Tauer. "As a captain of the defending AAAA state champion, Carter is impactful in every facet of the game. He's a student of the game, passionate, and plays for 2007 UST alum, Bryan Schnettler. Carter attended our basketball camps as a kid and it's been a pleasure watching him grow and develop. One of the best shooting bigs in the region, Carter fits exceptionally well with our style of play and core values."
Coach Tauer on Blue: "Kendall is a versatile guard who can attack and score at all three levels," stated Coach Tauer. "Kendall's versatility allows him to guard multiple positions on defense and play all over the court on offense. His athleticism and length create matchup problems for opponents on both ends of the floor. Kendall has been part of outstanding teams at East Ridge High School, playing for 2010 UST alum, Josh Peltier. Kendall is thoughtful and curious, with a playing style that is unselfish and fits our system incredibly well."
Coach Tauer on Lee: "Ahjany is a uniquely talented forward, who possesses both guard and post skills," said Coach Tauer. "Ahjany plays at Totino Grace on the top ranked AAA team in the state of Minnesota. He is able to impact the game in myriad ways, defensively, with his scoring, his passing, and with his rebounding and shot blocking. His personality lights up a room and he incredibly self-aware, both on and off the court. Ahjany's reflective nature help him continually learn and grow and throughout the recruiting process it became apparent what an outstanding fit he is with our culture at St. Thomas."
Coach Tauer on Rohde: "Andrew is a long, athletic guard whose versatility has allowed him to play four positions on the court," added Coach Tauer. "Andrew often guards the other team's best player while also being one of the best shooters in the state of Wisconsin. Andrew's Brookfield Central team won the state title his freshman year and he has also been All-State and a state champion in soccer. Andrew's older brother Sam recently graduated from St. Thomas and the familiarity with our culture and style of play made Andrew one of those players that checked every box for us. Andrew's passing, shooting, and defense all blend perfectly with how the Tommies play."
"Our staff's goal at the outset of the summer was to assemble a class of players who are outstanding people and students, versatile on the court, personable off the court and in the community, and selfless in their approach to life," stated Coach Tauer. "Finding the confluence of those characteristics is not easy, and as we scoured the Midwest, Ahjany, Carter, Kendall, and Andrew emerged as outstanding fits with both the mission of the University of St. Thomas, with our playing style, and with our culture. I am grateful to our staff (Mike Maker, Gameli Ahelegbe, Cameron Rundles, and Josh Rodenbiker) who worked tirelessly both in the evaluation of hundreds of prospects and the identification of a small number of players who fit the core values of St. Thomas and the playing style and values of Tommie Basketball. We are also grateful to our administration for their ongoing support of our recruiting efforts. We believe the 2022 class will epitomize our style of play and serve as a catalyst for our jump to Division 1 basketball, strengthening the foundation on which St. Thomas basketball is built. Finally, we are grateful to Ahjany, Andrew, Carter, and Kendall, and to their families for their belief and commitment to St. Thomas."
A perennial top-10 ranked Division III program, Tommie Men's Basketball has begun its debut season of Division I competition as it prepares for play in The Summit League.
St. Thomas is making the unprecedented move of all of its varsity sports from Division III to D-I in the same season. Besides its 18 teams competing in The Summit League, St. Thomas also has programs in the Pioneer Football League, WCHA Women's Hockey and CCHA Men's Hockey.
