A pair of Rockford sophomores get a Division I offer from CMU

From left, Rockford’s Josh Bascom, Eli Wolfe and Jake Bascom check into a Fall Ball game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 in Grand Rapids. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Josh Bascom and Eli Wolfe have been best friends since they were in second grade.

So it’s no surprise that the incoming Rockford High School sophomores have stuck together through their basketball journeys. 

Bascom and Wolfe each got offers from Central Michigan University on Wednesday, a stunning move for two athletes who have only played one year in high school basketball.

“It feels really good to get my first Division 1 offer,” Bascom said. “And it’s even better to do get it with my best friend. I’m very excited for Eli, too.”

Bascom is a 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard/forward. But he likely will get much bigger. His father, Justin Bascom, is 6-foot-9 and played basketball at Siena Heights University. Josh’s older brother Jake is 6-foot-6 and will be a senior at Rockford. Jake committed to CMU in June.

Wolfe is a slight 6-foot-1, 140-pound guard. His dad Nick Wolfe played basketball at Lake Superior State University.

"It feels very exciting to get my first D1 offer,” Eli Wolfe said. “It’s been a dream of mine forever. And I know it’s been one of Josh’s. So it’s even better that we got it together.”

The Rockford duo also got offers from Ferris State University last summer before they even played a high school game. That’s when Andy Bronkema was coach for the Bulldogs. Bronkema got the CMU job this spring and offered Bascom and Wolfe again.

Wolfe also has an offer from Saginaw Valley State University.