Simpson University basketball's recruiting class

The Simpson University men’s basketball program announces the signing of seven athletes for the 2014-2015 season: Rufus Humphrey (Inglewood), Marcus Browne (Houston, Texas), Justin Beskeen (Grass Valley), Josh Brakkee (Tracy), Nicholas Hoag (Corning), Joshua Delamarter (Turner, Ore.), and K.C. Spencer (Granite Falls, Wash.).

“I am excited with the recruiting class that I have coming in,” said head men’s basketball coach Jim Holcomb. “These are all young men of great character with very good basketball skills plus very good classroom skills. They will be exciting assets to the Simpson University men's basketball program.”

Humphrey is transferring to Simpson from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he was a member of the practice team. He attended Culver City High School and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. He earned All-CIF second team and all-league honors. In 2011, he was named Most Improved Player and Southern California Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He was a four-year scholar-athlete and a two-time team captain and varsity letterman. He plans to major in biology.

“I chose Simpson because I felt the environment would enrich my relationship with God as well as propelling me forward academically and in basketball,” Humphrey said.

Browne earned leadership honors in high school and plans to major in business. “I have always wanted to play in California and really liked the atmosphere here,” he said.

Beskeen graduated from Bear River High School, where he was a three-year varsity basketball player and a scholar-athlete his senior year. He earned MVP and first team all-league honors his junior and senior years. He plans to major in history.

“I picked Simpson University for the Christian university setting and the opportunity to play college basketball,” Beskeen said.

Brakkee graduated from Tracy High School. He earned first team all-league, all-defense, and all-area honors. He plans to major in business. “I chose Simpson because the atmosphere is like my hometown and the guys were like a family,” he said.

Hoag graduated from Corning High School and was valedictorian. He earned third team all-Record Searchlight honors his junior and senior years. He plans to major in business.

“I chose Simpson for the opportunity to further my education and the opportunity to continue playing basketball,” Hoag said.

Delamarter attended Cascade High School, where he earned first team all-league football and basketball honors. He also named second team all-state, team MVP, and made the all-state all-star 2013-2014 basketball team. His team reached the state championships in 2012-2013 and he was named championship game MVP. He plans to major in education.

“I picked Simpson because I was wanting the opportunity to further my education in a Christian environment as well as continue my passion of playing basketball at the next level,” Delamarter said. “I felt an immediate connection with Coach Holcomb and his vision for the basketball program at Simpson.”

Spencer graduated from Granite Falls High School, where he played basketball and golf and ran cross country. On the court, he averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game. He earned all-conference golf and basketball honors. He received the WIAA Distinguished Scholastic Award and the basketball Coaches Award his junior and senior years. He plans to major in business.

“I chose Simpson because my dad is from California and we have visited there a lot, and I love it there,” Spencer said. “I wanted to get out of the rain and go somewhere warm and sunny. I also wanted to go to a small school with high standards, and when I visited the campus it was really nice. After talking to Coach Holcomb and hearing about the basketball program, I was definitely sold!”