Gabe Newhof makes the leap from NAIA to a Division I school

Gabe Newhof of Spring Arbor University during a game in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. He spent three seasons at Spring Arbor before transferring to James Madison. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Gabe Newhof will be making a huge leap this fall.

The junior is transferring to Division 1 James Madison University from Spring Arbor University, an NAIA program.

Newhof, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward, spent his first three seasons at Spring Arbor, where he averaged 21.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season.

“I enjoyed my time at Spring Arbor and what we built there,” Newhof said. “But this was the right decision for me to to pursue basketball at the highest level and to push myself to get the most out of my god-given abilities.”

Newhof, the son of Jon and Bobbi Newhof, graduated from Hudsonville Unity Christian High School. 

“They won’t be able to make it to many of my games,” Newhof said. “But the games are all televised.”

James Madison is a Division 1 program in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In 2024, the Dukes knocked off Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament and finished the season 32-3. In 2025, JMU won the Sun Belt Conference championship and finished 20-12. 

“I was familiar with James Madison,” Newhof said. “It’s a big football school. But I recognized them from being in March Madness.”

So how did James Madison hear about a player from the NAIA?

“There’s not a transfer portal for the NAIA,” Newhof said. “So it’s more word of mouth. They reached out to me through my agent. They contacted me and set up a visit. I was impressed.”

Newhof said he wasn’t surprised that Spring Arbor coaches Ryan Cottingham and Ted Stowe encouraged him to make the move to transfer to a bigger school. 

“It wasn’t surprising,” he said. “The coaches here are awesome and have the greatest integrity. They were very supportive of this. It will be a huge adjustment. I’m excited to see what my development can be at a Division I school.”

Learn more about Newhof from a story during the 2023-24 season.