Two student-athletes have signed their national letters of intent to attend Wayne State College and play for the men’s basketball team during the 2025-26 academic year.
According to a release from Wayne State Athletics, the two individuals joining the Wildcat program are Ben Kerkhoff from Bettendorf, Iowa and Payson Nietert of Marion, Iowa.
Head coach Jeff Kaminsky said, “we are thrilled to have Ben and Payson join our program. The two will be great additions and we look forward to their future success on and off the court. They will add skill and versatility to an outstanding group of young players who are currently in our program.”
Kaminsky added, “not only will Ben and Payson add talent to our roster, they are both high quality individuals who compete and play the game the right way. It will be exciting to follow their progress during their senior seasons as they both play in successful high school programs.”
Ben Kerkhoff is a 6-5 shooting guard from Bettendorf High School in Iowa. Last season as a junior he averaged 10.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game for the 18-7 Bulldogs, helping his team reach the Iowa Class 4A State Tournament semi-finals. Kerkhoff earned All-Mississippi Athletic Conference honorable mention honors last season and was Academic All-State and All-Conference. One of his highlight games last season was a 26-point effort against Davenport North that included six 3-pointers.
Coach Kaminsky mentioned, “Ben is a highly skilled and versatile guard. He can be a primary ball handler and is a high level 3-point shooter. One of the assets that Ben will bring to our program is adding a bigger guard who can co-exist well with the other perimeter players we have on our roster.”
Payson Nietert is a 6-6 guard/forward from Linn-Mar High School in Iowa where he is a two-year starter for the Lions. As a junior last season he recorded 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest, highlighted by a 40-point game with nine 3-pointers that tied a school record held by former Iowa Hawkeye Jordan Bohanon. Nietert shot 44 percent from the field, 37.3 percent behind the arc and 85.7 percent at the free throw line last season, earning All-Mississippi Valley Conference and All-Metro Conference honors. He is a two-time All-Conference and All-Metro Conference selection while serving as a two-time team captain. Nietert also excels in the classroom with All-Conference Academic honors twice.
Kaminsky commented, “Payson will be able to play a forward or wing position. He can stretch the floor with his shooting ability and really adds versatility on both ends of the court. One of the assets that Payson will bring to our program is his ability to guard different positions.”
