Lynden Christian guard Cole Bajema at the 2018 1A State Tournament in Yakima. PHOTO: Doug Lange
Cole Bajema Announces Commitment to Michigan
August 4, 2018
Lynden Christian guard Cole Bajema will be wearing the Maize and Blue of Michigan. The reigning 1A State Player of the Year announced his commitment to the University of Michigan via Twitter Saturday.
Bajema posted a photo of him in a Michigan uniform and tweeted the following:
"I am excited and blessed to announce that I will further my education and basketball career by accepting a scholarship offer to attend the University of Michigan. I would like to thank God, my parents, and my coaches for their help in allowing me to realize my dream of attending the greatest university in the world. GO BLUE."
Bajema helped the Lyncs to the 1A State Championship in March. During his junior campaign he averaged 23 points per game and was named the Northwest Conference and 1A State tournament MVP.
“Our entire basketball family is so happy for Cole and his personal family. This is been a lifelong dream to play for the University of Michigan, said Lynden Christian coach Roger DeBoer. "To see that come into fruition has been a joy. So many things had to come together along this journey. We just plan to enjoy this special moment with a special young man."
According to a 247sports.com Bajema had offers from Washington, Virginia, Washington State, Pepperdine, Eastern Washington, Oregon State, Idaho, San Francisco, UC-Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Portland.
Michigan may have had an early in with Bajema. According to multiple reports, Cole spent four years living in Grand Haven, Michigan from the ages of 2-to-6. It has also bee reported that his father father is a big fan
of the Michigan Wolverine program.
Bajema is currently playing for the Bellingham Slam in the Seattle Pro-Am and AAU ball for FOH Seattle. USA Today reported that his AAU coach Don Brady got the ball rolling with Michigan recruiting by sending the Wolverine's head coach John Beilein an e-mail and video link of Bajema in action after this year's Final Four.
Bajema participated in the Michigan's elite camp in June and drew plenty of interest from Michigan and other teams while playing in Las Vegas last week.
- Doug Lange
