BERKELEY - After making a return to the NCAA Championships in 2015, Cal head coach Kirk Everist announced Friday a group of seven incoming players that will play a big part in the quest to return to that level and go one step further in 2016.
In Bernardo Carelli, Cade Kruse, Luka Milicevic, Mikey Williams, Jackson Hettler, Duncan Froomer and Safak Simsek, the Bears will bring in a class that features a diverse set of skills. The group will look to integrate immediately on a team that welcomes back four All-Americans and a host of seasoned players off a squad that finished third at the NCAA Championships last season.
"This is a very talented and experienced group that will add to our team immediately," Everist said. "We have added players in every position that I know are ready to help us compete for the program's 14th NCAA championship."
Read below for information on each incoming player.
Bernardo Carelli
Goalkeeper
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6-foot-4, 195 pounds
Flamengo Water Polo Club
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A product of the same club team that produced current Cal center Pedro Stellet, Carelli owns an already impressive international resume...helped Brazil win a gold medal at the 2013 Pan American Youth Championships and silver at the same tournament in 2014 where he also won the top goalkeeper award...has been a member of the Brazillian Youth, Junior and Senior National teams.
Everist's take: "Bernardo is an excellent goalie with a great deal of experience. He has competed at the highest levels as a junior and now with the Brazilian senior team. He has very good length, explosiveness and is a tremendous leader."
Duncan Froomer
Left-handed Attacker
Los Angeles, Calif.
5-foot-11, 175 pounds
Harvard-Westlake High School/LA Premier Water Polo Club
Played for the same powerhouse Harvard-Westlake program that produced Cal's leading scorer in 2015, Johnny Hooper...named a fourth team high school All- American and helped Harvard-Westlake go 23-3 and finish runner-up in the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs...also helped Harvard-Westlake win CIF Southern Section titles in 2013 and 2014. (photo courtesy of John McCoy/LA Daily News)
Everist's take: "Duncan is an excellent playmaker with a very high game IQ. He is very quick and anticipates the game very well. He has played in many championship games with Harvard and LA Premier and will be ready to compete at the college level."
Jackson Hettler
Center Defender
Mill Valley, Calif.
6-foot-4, 185 pounds
Tamalpais High School/SHAQ Water Polo Club
Local product hails from nearby Mill Valley and Tamalpais High School...four-time all-Marin County Athletic League performer was a first team selection three times, including his senior season in 2015...earned sixth team high school All-America honors as a junior in 2014-15...played for Sleepy Hollow Aquatics Club in San Anselmo, Calif.
Everist's take: "Jackson is an explosive defender with very good leg strength and an excellent outside shooting arm. He is a great competitor with a tremendous amount of potential."
Cade Kruse
Right-Handed Attacker
Los Angeles, Calif.
5-foot-11, 180 pounds
Loyola High School/Bruin Water Polo Club
Native of Los Angeles played for the same high school program as fellow incoming Golden Bear Luka Milicevic...helped Loyola go 19-5 and reach the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals in 2015... named a USA Water Polo Academic All- American in 2015.
Everist's take: "Cade is a tremendous competitor and an explosive driver and counter attack player. He will bring toughness and energy to our team."
Luka Milicevic
Center
Los Angeles, Calif.
6-foot-5, 225 pounds
Loyola High School/Rose Bowl Water Polo Club
Another Los Angeles native, Milicevic joins high school teammate Cade Kruse in Berkeley for 2016...helped Loyola go 19-5 and reach the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals in 2015...named a fourth team high school All-American in 2014.
Everist's take: "Luka can play both center and defender and is an excellent offensive threat. His size will be a key asset at the collegiate level."
Safak Simsek
Left-Handed Attacker
Istanbul, Turkey
5-foot-11, 180 pounds
Galatasaray Water Polo Club
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Member of the Turkish National Team on the youth, junior and senior levels...member of the Galatasaray LEN Champions League team in both 2015 and 2016...has played an important role early in the 2016 season for Galatasaray.
Everist's take: "Safak is a very good passer and scorer from the right side of the pool. He has played at the highest levels internationally as a member of the Galatasaray senior team, scoring goals in 4 of the first 6 LEN Champions League games in 2016."
Mikey Williams
Center Defender
Danville, Calif.
6-foot-4, 190 pounds
San Ramon Valley High School/680 Drivers Water Polo Club
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East Bay native helped San Ramon Valley High School reach the semifinals of the CIF North Coast Section Division I playoffs and was named East Bay Athletic League MVP in 2015 as well as first team All-East Bay by the Bay Area News Group...earned second team high school All-America and USA Water Polo Academic All-America awards during his high school career.
Everist's take: "Mikey is a very long and athletic defender with great end to end speed. He has excellent leg strength and a very good perimeter shot."
