KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball program and head coach Clayton Bates announced the signing of in-state star JaVaughn Hannah to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. Hannah joins forward Max Burton (Williamston, Mich.) in WMU's class of 2022. Both are set to suit up for the Broncos beginning with the 2022-23 season.
 
A 6-4 guard out of Mount Clemens, Mich., Hannah is getting set to begin his senior season at Orchard Lake St. Mary's as the 138th-ranked recruit in the nation according to Rivals. He chose the Broncos over offers from programs in the Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC, among others.
 
"JaVaughn is a great addition to Western Michigan University and our basketball program," coach Bates said. "He will make an immediate impact with his ability to play multiple positions on the perimeter.
 
With a background of playing at Mount Clemens for Pete Trammell, Ypsilanti Prep, and now at Orchard Lake St. Mary's for Todd Covert, JaVaughn has experience competing at the highest level. He has excellent size and physical attributes that will allow him to compete for the Broncos right away."
 
Hannah began his high school career at Mount Clemens High School and nearly averaged a double-double as a freshman, posting 20.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as he helped the team to a District Runner-Up finish. Following the season, Hannah was a Second Team Detroit Free Press All-East selection and a Second Team All-Macomb County East honoree.
 
As a sophomore, Hannah continued to rack up big numbers, including a school and county record 60-point game. For the season, he totaled 31.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. Hannah received numerous post-season accolades, as he earned the Charter School Conference Player of the Year award and was named First Team Charter School Conference, First Team All-Macomb County East, First Team AP All-State (Division 3), First Team BCAM All-State, Second Team MLive Detroit Metro Dream Team and Third Team Detroit Free Press All-State.
 
For his junior campaign, Hannah transferred to Ypslianti Prep, where he was teammates with Emoni Bates, a top recruit from last year's class who signed with Memphis. In his one year at Ypsilanti Prep, Hannah averaged 17.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  
 
"Over the last few years, we've brought in several in-state products (Markeese Hastings [Wyoming], Danny Kolp [Petoksey], Owen Lobsinger [Flint], Lamar Norman Jr. [Grand Rapids], Jack Stefanski [Frankfort] and B. Artis White [Canton]) as part of our renewed commitment to recruiting and developing some of the top talent in the state," coach Bates said. "The signings of both JaVaughn and Max today are huge wins for us on that front. Both of them are extremely talented young men and are two more premier examples of the outstanding talent throughout our great state."
 
WMU begins its 2021-22 regular season on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 7 pm as it takes on Hope College at University Arena. Fans can purchase tickets here, or by calling 1-888-4-WMU-TIX. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN3 and the Bronco Radio Network.