Ashland University head coach John Ellenwood announced Tuesday (April 24) the addition of sophomore transfer forward Derek Koch to the 2018 recruiting class.
A West Salem, Ohio native, Koch is transferring from NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University where he played in 30 games and made 28 starts for the Falcons as a freshman last season.
"We are excited about Derek joining our family here at Ashland men's basketball," said Ellenwood. "He fits our culture, is a tremendous talent and a better person."
With the Falcons, the 6-foot-9, 260-pound Koch averaged 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in just 21.4 minutes per game in 2017-18. He shot 41.4 percent (67-for-162) from the floor and was good on 35.1 percent (13-for-37) of his 3-point attempts.
He compiled career highs in points (15) and rebounds (14) against South Dakota.
Koch prepped at nearby Northwestern High School, graduating in 2007. He is Ohio's all-time leading rebounder in high school basketball history and was rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com. A two-time All-Ohio first team standout, Koch averaged 21.7 points and 16 rebounds as a senior and 21.7 points and 15.5 rebounds in his junior year. He averaged four assists per game in his final two seasons and recorded a triple-double in his senior season.
"Derek is a multi-tooled player," Ellenwood said. "He is strong around the basket, can stretch the floor, rebounds, and plays with a high motor. He will complement our current roster extremely well."
Koch joins a talented returning group for the Eagles that includes senior guard Ben Haraway and junior center Drew Noble, who were each selected to the All-GLIAC second team.
The Eagles were 20-10 last season and advanced to the GLIAC Tournament semifinals for the third straight year.
AU
MBB/BB