Steele Introduces Five New Members to the Men's Basketball Program

Miami University head men's basketball coach Travis Steele announced the addition of five new student-athletes to the program. Mekhi Cooper, Eian Elmer, Evan Ipsaro, Jackson Kotecki, and Reece Potter will join the Miami family for the 2023-24 campaign.

Mekhi Cooper, 6'0, 155, Point Guard, Bolingbrook, Ill./ Bolingbrook High School

HIGH SCHOOL:

Reached a career total of 1,000 points during his senior season
Averaged 15 points per game (PPG), 4 assists per game (APG), and 3 rebounds per game (RPG) during his junior season
Was a part of the all-conference team his junior and senior year and was all-state his junior year as well

PERSONAL:

Son of Sakita and Patrick Cooper
Has a June birthday

A NOTE FROM COACH STEELE:

"Mekhi Cooper plays for a powerhouse program at Bolingbrook High School in the Chicago area. Rob Brost is the Head Coach at Bolingbrook High School, and he is one of the top coaches in the country," said Steele. "Mekhi played AAU basketball for Flight National. Mekhi is electric with the ball. He has a ton of creativity with the ball in his hands. He can score the ball at all three levels, and he has an ability to pressure the ball full court. Welcome Mekhi to the Miami Family!"

Elan Elmer, 6'7, 190, Small Forward, Covington, Ky./ Robert A Taft

HIGH SCHOOL:

Won the state championship in 2022
Served as a team captain his senior year
Averaged 9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.4 blocks per game (BPG), and shot 60.2% from the field his junior year

PERSONAL:

Son of Dekaytra Garrett and Eric Elmer
Has a November birthday

A NOTE FROM COACH STEELE:

"Welcome Eian Elmer to the Miami Family. Eian is from nearby Cincinnati, Ohio. He attends Cincinnati Taft High School, where he is coached by DeMarco Bradley. Taft captured a State Title last March. Eian played AAU basketball for a legendary coach, Ozie Davis, with the Queen City Prophets. Ozie is a Miami alum. Eian is going to provide us with a ton of athleticism and versatility on both ends of the floor," said Steele. "He is another young man that is on the upswing of his development. He has a terrific basketball IQ and can really see things develop on the floor."

Evan Ipsaro, 6'0, 195, Point Guard, Cincinnati, Ohio/ Covington Catholic

HIGH SCHOOL:

Reached 1,280 points in his first two years at Covington Catholic, has a total of 1,637 career points
Averaged 21.7 PPG, 7.6 APG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.3 steals per game (SPG) his junior season
Team captain all four years of high school
Holds the school record for free-throw percentage at 91.2%
Named to the all-state team voted by coaches, made the Sweet 16 all-tournament team
King of the Bluegrass winner and was a part of the all-tournament team, Battle of the Villages Most Outstanding Player, District MVP, and named to the all-region team
Was up for the Kentucky state player of the year

PERSONAL:

Son of Heather and John Ipsaro
Has a November birthday

A NOTE FROM COACH STEELE:

"Evan Ipsaro attends nearby Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky, where he is coached by Scott Ruthsatz. Evan played AAU basketball for one of the top AAU programs in the country, Indiana Elite, on the 3SSB circuit. The first thing that comes to mind with Evan is toughness," said Steele. "He is a competitor and a winner. He is a terrific passer and really makes his teammates better. Welcome Evan to the Miami Family!"

Jackson Kotecki, 6'9, 215, Forward, Chicago, Ill./ St. Ignatius College Prep

HIGH SCHOOL:

Team finished in third place in the State tournament
Averaged 10 PPG, 2 APG, 7 RPG during his junior season
Named a team captain his junior and senior year

PERSONAL:

Son of Jennifer and Bob Kotecki
Has a November birthday

A NOTE FROM COACH STEELE:

"I am excited to announce the addition of Jackson Kotecki to the Miami Family. Jackson really caught my eye this past summer while he was playing for Fundamental U on the Under Armour Circuit. His athleticism, size, length, motor, and skill set jumped off the page. He is a young man that has a very high upside," said Steele. "Jackson attends St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago where he is coached by Matt Monroe. St. Ignatius made it to the Final Four in the state tournament last year. I am excited to see Jackson compete for a state championship this upcoming season."

Reece Potter, 7'0, 210, Center, Lexington, Ky./ Lexington Catholic

HIGH SCHOOL:

Named 2A State Tournament MVP
Averaged 16 PPG and 8 RPG his junior year and was named to the all-city and all-region teams
Served as a team captain his senior season

PERSONAL:

Son of Sherri and David Potter
Has a March birthday

A NOTE FROM COACH STEELE:

"I am thrilled to add Reece Potter to the Miami Family. He is a young man that I have recruited for a very long time," said Steele. "He plays for a terrific coach, Brandon Salsman, at Lexington Catholic High School in Kentucky. Reece also played for one of the top AAU organizations in the country, Indy Heat, on the Nike EYBL. Reece has a lot of tools for us to work with. He is a legit 7'0 tall, very mobile, and has a terrific skill set. He is a player that can both play inside and out. Reece fits perfectly into the way we want to play here at Miami."

Steele Introduces Five New Members to the Men's Basketball Program

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