ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Oakland University men's basketball redshirt juniors Brad Brechting, Jaevin Cumberland and Xavier Hill-Mais announced Friday they will return to the 2019-20 Golden Grizzlies squad for their final year of eligibility. All three student-athletes will graduate this spring and enroll in a master's program at Oakland.
   

Brechting appeared in all 33 games in 2018-19, making 27 starts and averaged 9.5 points and six rebounds per game. The Cedar Springs, Mich. native averaged a double-double in his final 11 games of the season with 16.5 points and 10 rebounds. He led the Golden Grizzlies in field goal percentage (58 percent) and blocked shots (36), while recording five double-doubles. Brechting ranked third in the league in total blocks, fourth in blocks per game and sixth in double-doubles.

"Jaevin, Xavier and I came in with each other and started something that will never split us apart," said Brechting. "We love Oakland and it is our family. We have unfinished business next season and are determined to complete our mission." 
 

Cumberland, started in all 33 games and finished the regular season leading the Horizon League in minutes played and free throw percentage. He averaged 17.2 points per game and was Oakland's leading scorer in league play (17.1). The Wilmington, Ohio native made a three pointer in every game this season and netted five or more three-pointers in seven contests. Cumberland ranked inside the league's top-10 in 15 statistical categories.
 
"The three of us have been together since day one and we want to finish what we started together," said Cumberland. "We want to win a championship together and for our great fans. We came in with a mission and want to complete that mission."
 

Hill-Mais, an All-Horizon League First Team selection, started in all 33 games and was the team's leading scorer and rebounder at 18.3 points and 7.2 boards per game. He ranked fourth in the league in points per game and second in field goal percentage, hitting 54 percent of his shots. The Greensboro, N.C. native made the second-most field goals of any Horizon League player at 235 and scored 30 points or more on four occasions. Hill-Mais ranked inside the Horizon League's top-10 in 11 different categories.

"I am honored to be returning to Oakland University for my final year," said Hill-Mais. "After meeting with the coaching staff it is in my best interest to prolong my athletic and academic career alongside Brad and Jaevin."

Head coach Greg Kampe announced Oakland will not participate in any 2019 postseason tournaments and will travel to Greece in late August to play four games in an international tournament, which the NCAA allows every four years. The Golden Grizzlies made a similar trip to Spain in 2015.

Oakland finished the 2018-19 season winning five of its last six games and now returns the nucleus of a team that finished third in the Horizon League standings. The Golden Grizzlies fell to eventual Horizon League tournament champion Northern Kentucky in the semifinals on a last-second three pointer. 


#WEARtheBEAR