KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan men's basketball head coach Steve Hawkins announced the signing of forward Chase Barrs to a National Letter of Intent on Thursday. Barrs is the first signee of the 2019 recruiting class for the Broncos.

"Throughout the course of the summer we knew we needed a big man and we kept our eye on several but when I saw Chase I know right there that was the guy we wanted," said Hawkins.

"Chase is very long and athletic and can score in a variety of ways around the basket with either hand. He can jump very well for as tall as he is and is also versatile and runs the floor extremely well."

Chase Barrs  • Forward  • 6'8" • 180lbs • Tampa, Fla. • Berkeley Preparatory School
Barrs plays his prep ball at Berkeley Prep High School in Tampa, Fla. where last season he helped guide the team to a 19-3 overall record and a regional quarterfinal appearance. Barrs had an impact on the game in many ways averaging 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals per game.

For his performance during his junior campaign, Barrs was named a Tampa Bay Times All-Tampa Honorable mention. The 6-8 forward transferred from Sickles High School where in 2016 helped the team win the FHSAA Class A state championship.

The 6-8 forward received over 10 D1 offers with interest from schools such as Dayton, Army, James Madison, Florida Gulf Coast and South Florida.