KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan head men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins has announced the signing of two future Broncos to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Forward TJ Clifford (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South HS) and guard Michael Flowers (Southfield, Mich./Southfield AT&T) officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at Western Michigan joining the Broncos during the 2017-18 season.

"Both TJ and Mike help us with our continued effort to upgrade athleticism," Hawkins said. "Both have college-ready bodies. They are going to fit into the Bronco family real well. Not only are they great on the basketball court, but academically as well."

TJ Clifford • 6-7 • F • Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South HS
Averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds per game as a junior ... the athletic forward shot 52 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc ... played a key role for Mustangs as Downers Grove South won the West Suburban Gold Conference ... played AAU ball with the Illinois Wolves ... son of Jerry and Marnie Clifford.

Coach Hawkins' take: "TJ is a big guy that can play the four, maybe even the five four us if we went small, and even the three if we went really big. He shoots the three well and has really big hops, he can really jump. He is left-handed, can stretch the defense to the perimeter and has a never-ending motor. I don't know if he is capable of getting tired."

Michael Flowers • 6-2 • G • Southfield, Mich./Southfield A&T
Averaged 25.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and and 2.1 steals as a junior ... earned Class A all-state first-team honors ... named Motorcity Roundball Classic and Battle of 96 Most Valuable Player ... played AAU for 1 Nation ... son of Joyce and Henry Flowers.

Coach Hawkins' take: "Mike is a combo-guard that can play both the one and the two. He can really score the ball in a variety of ways. There are also times he will just focus on getting his teammates involved. He can really handle it, shoot well and is all-around a good offensive player. He is strong-stocky guard."

Notable:
Western Michigan's current roster features just one senior, wingman Tucker Haymond, and two juniors, point guard Thomas Wilder and center Drake LaMont.

The 2016-17 season officially begins for the Broncos with a home game against Marygrove Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. WMU travels to Rochester, Mich., for its first away game, Nov. 14, renewing the series with in-state Horizon League counterpart Oakland. Following the Oakland contest, WMU heads to the ESPN Charleston Classic for games on Nov. 17, 18 & 20. The Broncos open the classic against defending national champion Villanova.