Men’s Basketball adds backcourt trio to roster – Northern Michigan University

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team has added three transfers ahead of the 2024-25 season in Gerald Gittens Jr., Derek Merwick, and Julien Smith.

In his five seasons at the helm of the NMU program, Majkrzak and his coaching staff have never spent as much time meticulously searching through the thousands of names in the portal to find guys that perfectly embody the Wildcat family and a group that can continue the championship tradition that has been laid. All three of these guys are not only incredible basketball players but are people that fans will be proud to see don an NMU jersey and cheer on throughout the year. 

“Our program goals are to win GLIAC Championships and to compete as one of the premier programs of the Midwest Region,” Majkrzak said. “This year we felt that to build upon the success that has been laid and to elevate our program, we needed to add to our foundations of homegrown talent and find the best experienced guards that have the sole goal of winning a championship. They have all achieved individual excellence at an incredibly high level of college basketball. The goal now is to put together their individual strengths into our culture and win at the highest levels of D2 basketball. They all possess excellent character and fit into our system that has historically had so much success with guards.” 

Gerald Gittens Jr.  |  6’0″  |  Guard  | Brooklyn, N.Y.

In his only season at the University of Mary (NCAA D2), Gittens Jr. averaged 13.8 ppg, 4,5 rpg, 3.1 apg, and  1.2 spg. Gerald led the University of Mary in points, assists, steals, and three-point percentage. Prior to his time at the University of Mary, he was a standout player at North Central Missouri College. Gerald will join the program after already scoring over 900 points and over 100 steals as a collegiate basketball player, making him an impact player on both sides of the floor. 

Coach Majkrzak on Gittens Jr: “Gerald is a player we’ve known since his prep days at St. John’s Military Academy. His physical strength and athleticism give him the ability to attack the paint at will. We’ve been very impressed by how he’s developed his game at two different collegiate stops and his rate of improvement over the last three years sets him apart. We’re excited to see what Gerald will do in the Green and Gold for his final year of collegiate basketball.” 

 

Derek Merwick  |  6’0″  |  Guard  |  Elkhorn, Neb.

In Derek’s only season at Midland University (NAIA), he averaged 21.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.9 apg, and 2.1 spg. Merwick was one of the best players in the notoriously tough Great Plains Athletic Conference and earned 2023-24 All-GPAC First Team. Derek also excelled in the classroom and was given the distinction of 2023-24 CSC Academic All-District. Derek has scored over 1,000 career points and dished out over 400 assists as a collegiate player, making him an incredibly sought-after player in the transfer portal.

Coach Majkrzak on Merwick: “Derek is coming off a historic season in one of the most highly respected NAIA conferences in the country. Derek has a lot of the traits we prioritize in a point guard. He is equally comfortable scoring as he is setting up his teammates. However, the first thing that stood out about Derek is his desire to rebound and the toughness he plays with. In addition, he’s taken and made a lot of big shots down the stretch, and that’s something we think translates great to the GLIAC.” 

Julien Smith  |  6’2″  |  Guard  |  Fort Worth, Tex.

Over the course of four years at Missouri S&T (NCAA D2), Julien has proven himself as a prolific scorer and deadeye shooter. Julien has scored over 1,600 points throughout his career, boasting an average of 15.9 ppg. During the 2021-22 season, Julien had a career year averaging 19.2 ppg. On top of this, Smith has made 253 three pointers on a 35% rate from the three-point line. Julien has twice been named Second Team All-GLVC. All of these proven abilities made him a top target in the transfer portal for NMU.

Coach Majkrzak on Smith: “Unfortunately I had a front row seat for Julien scoring 22 points against us in an early season non-conference game. Not only competing against him, but watching a lot of film, I was so impressed by his ability to make tough shots. He’s had a great career and did a great job over four years elevating Missouri S&T each season. As a grad transfer, he will bring veteran leadership and experience in many big games to the table. We think he has one more leap as a three level scorer to make in his collegiate career.”