Brayden Gross Signs With NIU After Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Season
Louisville High School graduate Brayden Gross signs with NIU after earning Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors and finishing as a 29-4 star at Walsh University
Northern Illinois University men's basketball head coach Matt Majkrzak announced the signing of Brayden Gross to join the Huskie men's basketball program for the 2026-27 season.
Gross, who graduated from Louisville High School in Louisville, Ohio, becomes the eighth signee for NIU this spring. Additional signings are expected to come throughout the recruiting period.
Majkrzak praised Gross as a winner during his initial press conference. The coach noted that Gross ended his Northern Michigan career by knocking them out of the Division II tournament in the second round. Assistant coach Charlie Wallrapp is familiar with Gross from both recruiting and playing against him.
On offense, Gross finds the mismatch and scores on whatever advantage the defense gives him. He has a relentless motor and plays with the heart and competitive spirit that the program values.
The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for the Cavaliers last season. He shot 57 percent from the field, making 167 of 293 shots. Gross started all 33 games for Walsh University and helped them post a 29-4 overall record.
The team reached the Regional Final of the NCAA Division II Tournament. Gross was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year after his standout season at Walsh.
He also earned first team all-league honors. His performance at the conference level demonstrated his ability to dominate in big moments.
Fans can make deposits for season tickets for the first season of the Matt Majkrzak era online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. The ticket office can be contacted at 815-753-PACK or via email at huskiestickets@niu.edu.
The Boneyard Competitive Excellence Fund supports Huskie student-athletes with a forward-thinking approach. The fund is designed to strengthen competitiveness and elevate the student-athlete experience.
Anyone interested in contributing to the Boneyard Competitive Excellence Fund can contact the Huskies Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923.