The Valparaiso University men’s basketball family continued to grow on Friday, as head coach Roger Powell Jr. has announced the signing of Cooper Schwieger, a 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward who joins the team as a freshman for the 2023-24 season.

A native of Overland Park, Kan., Schwieger graduated from Blue Valley Southwest before spending this past season at Link Year Prep in Branson, Mo.

“The main reason I decided on Valpo was Coach Powell,” Schwieger said. “He recruited and believed in me, and when he gave me an offer, I could immediately tell that he was everything I wanted in a head coach. Right then, I told him I would come play for him. The offer from Coach Powell was the peak of my basketball career so far, and one of the most exciting things that I’ve ever experienced.”

Schwieger averaged 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game at Link Year Prep.

“Cooper is extremely underrated,” Powell said. “He is someone who has similarities to Alec Peters and Drew Timme. He’s a skilled big who has a chance to be really good with work and playing with a chip on his shoulder. In time, he has an opportunity to become a Valpo great.”

Off the court, Schwieger has a twin brother Carson, who is a similar height and also plays basketball. He said a lot of people think they are identical, but they are fraternal twins. Schwieger plans to study business at Valpo.

“I’m going to be very vocal and talk a lot on the court,” Schwieger said. “I like to play defense, shoot, drive and dunk. I try to do a little bit of everything. I like to get my teammates open shots as well.”

Toward the end of his senior year at Blue Valley Southwest, Schwieger realized that he could achieve the goal of playing at the Division-I level. His AAU coach pushed him to play a post-grad year, which proved to be extremely beneficial in his basketball development.

“I went to Link Year and learned a ton,” Schwieger said. “I had really good coaches who taught me a lot and expanded my skills set. That helped me become a more rounded player and helped me develop my game.”

Schwieger’s Valpo teammates and coaches have made a strong first impression on the program’s newest member.

“It feels like a big family,” he said. “The coaches have already taught me so much and we’re just getting started. With the players, it feels like everyone has known each other for a year even though we just met. Everyone is really close and I’m excited to spend time with this group. Our main goal is to win a conference championship and make the NCAA Tournament.”