ORONO, Maine – Maine Black Bears men's basketball coach Richard Barron announced on Tuesday the signing of three players to National Letters of Intent for the 2019-20 season.
 
Forward Veljko Radaković and guards Peter Stümer and Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish inked NLIs during the National Signing Period.
 
"We're very excited about these three young men joining our program," said Barron of the recruits. "All three bring size and versatility to their respective positions and will fit in well with our program's values and culture. We are very pleased to welcome all three student-athletes and their families to Black Bear Nation."
 
Veljko Radaković | 6-9 | 210lbs | F | Novi Sad, Serbia/Lee Academy | Highlights

Radaković, a forward from Novi Sad, Serbia follows the footsteps of several current Black Bears that have made their way from Lee Academy to Orono.

As a member of KK Crvena Zvezda MTS U19 last season, Radaković scored 5.7 points per game, while shooting 44.9 percent from the field in 18 games played. Off the glass, Radaković provided 2.5 boards per game. He helped the squad to a 20-2 record. He also played in the U19 ABA League and U18 ANGT.

"Veljko is a long skilled big man who fits well with our style of play," Barron noted. "He can stretch the floor with his shooting and passing, has excellent footwork and passing skills in the post, and has played at a very high level in Serbia, one of Europe's top basketball nations.
 
Peter 'Peppe' Stümer | 6-6 | 185lbs | G | Södertälje, Sweden/Alviks Basketbollklubb | Highlights
 
Stümer, a native of Södertälje, Sweden joins the Black Bears after representing Sweden several times at FIBA European Championships. This past summer, Stümer joined current Black Bear Vilgot Larsson on Team Sweden in the U20 European Championships in Chemnitz, Germany. Stümer averaged 3.1 points per game, 1.9 rebounds, along with an assist and a steal per game in seven total contests.
 
He currently plays for Alvik Bk in Sweden, where he has appeared in three games so far this season. He is shooting 40 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from long distance, while averaging 12 points per game and 2.0 rebounds per contest. He averages 4.0 assists and has snatched a team-high 3.0 steals per game for Alvik.
 
"Peter is a big combo guard who has a multiple tools," explained Barron. "He can shoot with range, finishes well at the rim, and is very unselfish in creating shots for his teammates. Peter brings outstanding leadership qualities to the program along with a great basketball IQ."
 
Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish | 6-4 | 185lbs | G | Montreal, Canada/Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf | Highlights
 
Wright-McLeish, the 2017-18 All-RSEQ Defensive Player of the Year, comes to Maine from Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf.
 
In five games this season, Wright-McLeish is averaging 13.6 points per game, while shooting .417 from the field, and .375 from 3-point range. He has cleaned the glass with 6.2 rebounds per game, and is stuffing the stat sheet with 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals per contest.
 
Earlier this month, Wright-McLeish was selected as the RESQ Player of the Week. Jean-de-Brébeuf currently sits in first-place with a perfect 6-0 record.
 
"Ja'Shonté is an outstanding perimeter defender and a versatile offensive threat", said Barron of Wright-McLeish "JaShonté provides a calming presence in the floor at both the point and off-guard positions, can shoot well from beyond the three point line, and has an explosive first step when attacking the basket."  
 
-UMaine-