NAMPA, Idaho - Northwest Nazarene men's basketball head coach Jon Hawkins has announced the 2023 recruiting class for the Nighthawks, with four signings having joined the program ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

The defending GNAC Tournament Champions, NNU has added two first-year players in Blaine Granberg and Cyrus Turley and two transfers with Dylan Engler and Garret Long. Below is information on each of the new Nighthawks.

Dylan Engler

Guard | Redshirt Junior | 6-5, 195 | Oswego, Illinois | Oswego HS/Link Year Prep/The Citadel

Engler comes to NNU after spending the last three seasons at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. The 6'5" guard played in 27 games for the Bulldogs and looks to make an immediate impact with as he comes with two season of eligibility remaining. He was also a 1,000-point scorer at Oswego High School in Illinois, earning All-Area honors three times.

From Engler: "I chose to come to NNU because I saw it as the best opportunity to better myself on and off the court."

From Hawkins: "It took a mature individual to buy into my vision for the program during my interim head coach period. Dylan knew the community he wanted to be part of, and our community also sold him on his next destination after The Citadel. Dylan brings outside shooting, a high motor to make multiple plays, and a work ethic that enables him to make multiple plays as well as rebounding and defending several positions on the floor."
 

Blaine Granberg

Guard | Freshman | 6-3, 175 | Mount Vernon, Washington | Burlington-Edison HS

Granberg comes to NNU from Burlington-Edison High School in Mount Vernon, Washington. The 6'3" guard was All-Conference in both basketball and football at BEHS, as well as team captain for both sports during his senior year. He also competed in track one year as a senior (long jump, 4x100, 4x400) and made it to the district championships in all three events. He was selected as the 2023 Cliff Gillies Award winner for the top student athlete for Burlington-Edison. Academically, he was part of the Honors Society, finished with the #4 GPA in his class, and won the BEHS Student Exemplary Award.

From Granberg: "I chose NNU because of the excellent athletic and community connection!"

From Hawkins: "Blaine's work ethic really stood out to me and our S&C Coach Greyson Kilgore as we began workouts. He was in shape and had a posture ready to soak in all the information thrown at him. I have full confidence Blaine's ceiling is high and attainable."
 

Garret Long

Guard/Forward | Junior | 6-5, 185 | Boise, Idaho | Timberline HS/Treasure Valley Community College

Long is a transfer from nearby TVCC after playing his high school ball at Timberline HS in Boise. In his two seasons with the Chukars, he averaged 12.6 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game. As a sophomore a season ago, he scored in double figures in 24 of 28 games, including a season-best 25 points against Big Bend Community College. While at Timberline, he was named All-SIC Honorable Mention.

From Long: "I chose NNU for the great business program and great basketball team."

From Hawkins: "Garret is a long athlete who has the tools to really excel under our system. Garret's strong desire to develop in all areas of his game under our coaching staff due to his humble attitude will result in a bright future for us. This valley did and will continue to enjoy seeing Garrett perform on the court, now as a Nighthawk."
 

Cyrus Turley

Forward | Freshman | 6-9, 210 | Snoqualmie, Washington | Mount Si HS

Turley comes to NNU from Mount Si HS in Washington, where he was a teammate of current redshirt freshman Cameron Holliway. While at Mount Si, he was a part of a team that made the Washington State 4A Finals along with winning Districts in back to back seasons. He graduated with honors and was a part of National Honors Society.

From Turley: "I chose NNU for the strong community within the team and the school was a great fit for me in growing academically and as a player."

From Hawkins: "We are thrilled to have another Mount Si graduate join our team. Coach Griffith and his staff have done a great job developing and preparing their players to play at the next level. The composure Cyrus has demonstrated on the court gives him an advantage which has resulted in making plays rolling and finishing or finishing with his back to the basket."