As the Oakland University men’s basketball team prepares for their first season without Travis Bader, they look to get shooting help from newly-acquired Max Hooper.

Hooper is a redshirt junior transfer from St. John’s University. Hooper transferred to Oakland March 26.

Hooper is eligible to play for Oakland this upcoming season since he graduated in the spring. He played for Harvard his freshman year before transferring to St. John’s for his sophomore year.

Hooper is a 6-foot-6 guard and forward who has the ability to shoot the ball from a long distance at a high percentage. Even though he only averaged 3.2 points and nine minutes a game for St. John’s last season, Oakland hopes he can be an outside threat like Travis Bader was.

Hooper might not be able to put up the lofty numbers Bader put up in his time at Oakland, but he is projected to be a starter.

“Anytime a player who accomplishes what Travis was able to accomplish at Oakland, there are going to be questions as to who replaces what that particular person was able to do,” Hooper said. “Shooting the ball from the 3-point line is definitely something I pride myself in, so I am excited for the opportunity this year.”

Before he played for Harvard and St. John’s, Hooper was recruited by Oakland. This previous recruitment, along with Coach Kampe, played big parts in Hooper’s decision to come to Oakland this season.

“Having been recruited by Oakland in the past, I was familiar with the program,” Hooper said. “When I decided to transfer from St. John’s and Oakland reached out to me, I knew it was where I wanted to be.”

The men’s basketball season starts at home against Ferris State Nov. 1. They will also face the likes of Michigan State, Arizona, Pittsburg, Clemson and Maryland before their Horizon League opener against Valparaiso Jan. 2.

“I’m looking forward to winning as many games as we possibly can and coming together as a family,” Hooper said. “The coaches and my teammates have been very excited to have me on the team.”

More information on the Oakland men’s basketball team, such as their schedule, roster and more, can be found at goldengrizzlies.com.