Jordan Delp has added 13 players to his Augustana College men’s basketball program ahead of the 2025-26 season, and this recruiting class has a major local flavor.
Among those 13 are three Quad-Citians and a fourth who was well known here, playing in the Western Big 6 Conference.
While the group has plenty of local ties, Delp and his staff have also welcomed student-athletes from Canada, Spain, Montenegro and Russia, making it an international class.
“It is, and always will be, a huge priority for us,” said Delp of landing the best local talent available that fits the program. “We want every player that we believe can impact winning and have a meaningful experience in the program and, most of all, graduate in four years and get their degrees.
“We want all those guys to know that they have a home here at Augustana. We have tried to develop those relationships.”
The large incoming class is needed as the Vikings graduated eight players — all vital in the top rotations.
Among the locals joining the program are a pair of transfers from Rock Island (Marieon Anderson and Cam Atkinson), a Pleasant Valley High School grad in Cole Beinborn, and former Sterling High School standout Andre Klaver, another transfer.
“All of those guys bring different skills and different things to the table for us,” said Delp. “I do think that all of them will have a chance to earn impacts right from the get-go.”
Anderson, a 6-foot-4 wing player, transfers from NCAA Division II Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. The two-time All-Western Big 6 selection and IBCA Class 3A All-State honorable mention selection is a senior with just one year of eligibility.
“Marieon impacts winning in all the right ways,” said Delp. “We are lucky to have him coming back home to join us this season, and know that his selfless style of play will be infectious in all the right ways, too. His ability to defend multiple positions, relentless rebounding nature, and high basketball IQ bring a ton of versatility to our program.”
Atkinson, a 6-4 guard, transfers back from Arizona Western CC with two years of eligibility remaining. He appeared in 28 games as a freshman and averaged 8.0 points per game in 21 games last season at Arizona Western.
Delp appreciates how Atkinson, the 2023 Iowa-Illinois All-Star game MVP by posting 22 points and eight rebounds, has refined his game over the last two seasons.
“Always a scorer, Cam has evolved as a playmaker, defender, and rebounder during his time in Yuma. He brings a quiet confidence to the court, and we’re thrilled to watch him let his game do the talking as a Viking.”
Klaver is also a transfer, but he has actually been in the program for a semester. He joined the team last year in the second semester as he rehabbed an injury. He has four years of eligibility remaining.
The 6-3 guard who started his college career at Div. II Maryville, appeared in nine games as a freshman and averaged 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. The 12th player in Sterling’s 1,000-point club had a season-high 14 points on two occasions before his transfer.
“Now healthy, we are excited to see him back out on the floor doing what he loves,” said Delp. “He is a difference maker for us, instantly, and a young man I’m elated to have the opportunity to coach again.”
Beinborn, a 6-4 combo guard, brings his sharpshooting skills across the river after averaging 9.4 points and playing in 21 of 23 games for the 13-10 Spartans.
“I’ve been working with Cole since he was a second grader and cannot wait to continue that work now that he is a Viking,” said Delp. “… When you combine the toughness he plays with and the consistency he works with, the sky’s the limit for him.”
The rest of the class is guard-heavy, with four backcourt players joining one forward. Four of those recruits are from Illinois, and one is from Missouri.
The international students bring size to the Vikings, with taller guards (6-2 and 6-4) and forwards (6-7 and 6-8).
“It seems like it’s been a once-in-four-year cycle,” said Delp of landing talent from outside the continental US. “We have an amazing international admissions team. Both of the people in that department do a wonderful job of connecting us with … international students who want to continue to play competitive athletics.”
Augie has its 10th international trip coming up in May of 2026 and will head to Spain.
“This will be the first time that we’ll have an international trip where one of our players gets to play in his hometown,” said Delp of Ander Claros, who is from Barcelona.
The Vikings begin a new period of non-traditional workouts on Sunday. The practice season officially opens on Oct. 16, ahead of the team’s Nov. 11 season and home opener against Wisconsin Lutheran.
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TJ Johnston
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