University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Men's Basketball Add Five Iowans in 2019-20 Recruiting Class
11/14/2018 1:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of five student-athletes to become members of the Panther men's basketball team in 2019.
The 2019-20 recruiting class features five Iowans in James Betz (Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School), Noah Carter (Dubuque Senior High School), Evan Gauger (Indianola High School), Cole Henry (Oskaloosa High School) and Derek Krogmann (West Delaware High School).
"We are adding a terrific group of young guys to our program today," stated head coach Ben Jacobson. "They have demonstrated the work ethic, character, and pride that we are consistently looking for throughout the recruiting process. This class brings with it the kind of size and versatility that fits well with how we play."
James Betz, 6'6, 215 lbs, Forward
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School
James Betz has been a three-year varsity player at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School, playing his senior season under the direction of Coach Jake Young. The 6'7 forward earned second team all-conference honors as a freshman before earning a spot on an all-state team in his sophomore campaign. As a junior in 2017-18, Betz averaged 15.4 points per game, shot 30-76 from beyond the arc and grabbed 6.9 rebounds a game. Betz capped off his junior season with 2nd team all-state honors. James is the son of Barb and Phil Betz.
Noah Carter, 6'6, 230 lbs, Forward
Dubuque Senior High School
Noah Carter is a combo forward for the Panthers, at 6'6, 230 lbs. The three-year varsity player for Coach Wendell Eimers has a unique ability to score the ball. As a freshman, Carter earned an all-conference honorable mention nod and followed it up with a dominant sophomore season, earning 2nd team all-state honors. Carter missed 10 games his junior season but managed to average 18.3 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. Noah is the son of Tassie and Joe Carter.
Evan Gauger, 6'2, 175 lbs. Guard
Indianola High School
Evan Gauger has been a three-year varsity player at Indianola High School, the last two under Coach Brett Watson. As a sophomore, Gauger averaged 14.2 points per game while recording 58 steals and 54 assists on the season, earning all-conference honorable mention honors. As a junior, during the 2017-18 season, Gauger averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, and was a unanimous first team all-conference selection. Evan is the son of Kelly and Tim Gauger.
Cole Henry, 6'9, 215 lbs. Forward
Oskaloosa High School
Cole Henry has been a three-year varsity player for Coach Ryan Parker at Oskaloosa High School. The 6'9 forward led Oskaloosa to a runner-up finish in the Iowa state championships last season while averaging 15 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Henry ended the season with 142 assists, good enough for fourth most in 3A basketball, and captured a second team all-state honor. Cole is the son of Maggie and John Henry.
Derek Krogmann, 6'7, 230 lbs. Forward
West Delaware High School
Derek Krogmann has earned a varsity letter three straight years under Coach Matt Uthoff at West Delaware High School. As a freshman, during the 2015-16 season, Krogmann earned second team all-conference honors and backed it up with a second team all-state honor as a sophomore. The 6'7 forward dominated the court as a junior, averaging 20.7 points per game and bringing in 12.4 rebounds a game. Krogmann earned his second, second team all-state honor as a junior and entered West Delaware High School's 1,000 point club, just the 4th member in school history. Derek is the son of Ellen and Al Krogmann.
"James and Cole have the ability to play multiple positions," stated Jacobson. "James can really shoot the basketball for a player with his size while Cole is a tremendous passer. They will be a great combination for us up front. Noah is comfortable everywhere on a basketball court. He continues to develop all parts of his game and loves the big stage. Derek is a tough, hard-nosed competitor who brings an edge to this class while Evan is skilled, scores the ball and has a great feel for passing. His play in the backcourt fits great with James, Cole, Noah, and Derek. We are excited about these guys officially becoming Panthers today."
The 2019-20 recruiting class features five Iowans in James Betz (Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School), Noah Carter (Dubuque Senior High School), Evan Gauger (Indianola High School), Cole Henry (Oskaloosa High School) and Derek Krogmann (West Delaware High School).
"We are adding a terrific group of young guys to our program today," stated head coach Ben Jacobson. "They have demonstrated the work ethic, character, and pride that we are consistently looking for throughout the recruiting process. This class brings with it the kind of size and versatility that fits well with how we play."
James Betz, 6'6, 215 lbs, Forward
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School
James Betz has been a three-year varsity player at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School, playing his senior season under the direction of Coach Jake Young. The 6'7 forward earned second team all-conference honors as a freshman before earning a spot on an all-state team in his sophomore campaign. As a junior in 2017-18, Betz averaged 15.4 points per game, shot 30-76 from beyond the arc and grabbed 6.9 rebounds a game. Betz capped off his junior season with 2nd team all-state honors. James is the son of Barb and Phil Betz.
Noah Carter, 6'6, 230 lbs, Forward
Dubuque Senior High School
Noah Carter is a combo forward for the Panthers, at 6'6, 230 lbs. The three-year varsity player for Coach Wendell Eimers has a unique ability to score the ball. As a freshman, Carter earned an all-conference honorable mention nod and followed it up with a dominant sophomore season, earning 2nd team all-state honors. Carter missed 10 games his junior season but managed to average 18.3 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. Noah is the son of Tassie and Joe Carter.
Evan Gauger, 6'2, 175 lbs. Guard
Indianola High School
Evan Gauger has been a three-year varsity player at Indianola High School, the last two under Coach Brett Watson. As a sophomore, Gauger averaged 14.2 points per game while recording 58 steals and 54 assists on the season, earning all-conference honorable mention honors. As a junior, during the 2017-18 season, Gauger averaged 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, and was a unanimous first team all-conference selection. Evan is the son of Kelly and Tim Gauger.
Cole Henry, 6'9, 215 lbs. Forward
Oskaloosa High School
Cole Henry has been a three-year varsity player for Coach Ryan Parker at Oskaloosa High School. The 6'9 forward led Oskaloosa to a runner-up finish in the Iowa state championships last season while averaging 15 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Henry ended the season with 142 assists, good enough for fourth most in 3A basketball, and captured a second team all-state honor. Cole is the son of Maggie and John Henry.
Derek Krogmann, 6'7, 230 lbs. Forward
West Delaware High School
Derek Krogmann has earned a varsity letter three straight years under Coach Matt Uthoff at West Delaware High School. As a freshman, during the 2015-16 season, Krogmann earned second team all-conference honors and backed it up with a second team all-state honor as a sophomore. The 6'7 forward dominated the court as a junior, averaging 20.7 points per game and bringing in 12.4 rebounds a game. Krogmann earned his second, second team all-state honor as a junior and entered West Delaware High School's 1,000 point club, just the 4th member in school history. Derek is the son of Ellen and Al Krogmann.
"James and Cole have the ability to play multiple positions," stated Jacobson. "James can really shoot the basketball for a player with his size while Cole is a tremendous passer. They will be a great combination for us up front. Noah is comfortable everywhere on a basketball court. He continues to develop all parts of his game and loves the big stage. Derek is a tough, hard-nosed competitor who brings an edge to this class while Evan is skilled, scores the ball and has a great feel for passing. His play in the backcourt fits great with James, Cole, Noah, and Derek. We are excited about these guys officially becoming Panthers today."
PST: Ben Jacobson - Dec. 5, 2025 (Part 1 of 3)
Friday, December 05
PST: Ben Jacobson - Dec. 5, 2025 (Part 2 of 3)
Friday, December 05
PST: Ben Jacobson - Dec. 5, 2025 (Part 3 of 3)
Friday, December 05
Ben Jacobson Postgame Interview - Dec. 1, 2025.
Tuesday, December 02