KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Jason Whitens, who finished third in the Mr. Michigan Basketball voting this past season, has officially committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Western Michigan, signing a National Letter of Intent on April 27. At 6-5 and 210-pounds, Whitens is one of the top passing, shooting and rebounding guards in the state.

Whitens has starred at Powers North Central, not far from the Upper Peninsula/Wisconsin border, winning three state titles in basketball. As a senior this past season, Whitens averaged 23.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game. The Jets have the nation's longest active winning streak at 83 games, an MHSAA record – for both boys and girls basketball, and posted a 108-1 record over Whitens' four-year career.

Whitens was one of six finalists for the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award in February and finished third in voting. He has been the Class D player of the year the past two years in both basketball and football.

Whitens was the standout quarterback for the football team that won its second consecutive 8-player state title. Whitens broke the state finals rushing record in a 58-22 win against Deckerville last November, carrying the ball 17 times for 352 yards and six touchdowns.

"We are really excited to welcome Jason to our family," said WMU head coach Steve Hawkins. "I think that he is going to be a great addition to our program. Jason is a tough, hard-nosed wing who can shoot the ball and can put the ball on the floor. He also has a big frame to build on.

"His best trait may be his competitive desire. His high school team lost only one game during his four-year career; obviously, he is a winner. On top of that, he is a person of high character and high integrity. I look forward to coaching him during his collegiate career."

Whitens joins forward TJ Clifford (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South HS) and guard Michael Flowers (Southfield, Mich./Southfield AT&T HS) as incoming freshmen on the Bronco roster this fall.