SIOUX FALLS -- University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Johnson has announced the signings of 6-7 center Mason Steele of Rapid City, S.D., and 6-6 forward Noah Puetz of Marshall, Minn., both of whom will continue their academic and athletic careers at USF. The pair joins 6-5 guard John Henry of Eden Prairie, Minn., and 6-3 guard Jack Cartwright of Sioux Falls, S.D., in the 2020 USF recruiting class.
 
Puetz is a standout from Marshall High School where he has averaged 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Puetz is shooting 60 percent from the field, 83 percent from the foul line and 43 percent from three-point range. A two-time All-Big South Conference performer, he twice has been named All-Area and earned All-Academic Team honors.
 
"We are extremely excited to add Noah (Puetz) to the Coo Family.  He fits very well into our program, school and community. He has played for a tremendous High School program and has been very well coached by Coach Travis Carroll," said USF Head Coach Chris Johnson. "He is a high-level student that will flourish here academically.  On the floor, Noah is a skilled forward that can play multiple positions.  He can shoot it from three, put it on the floor and is a great rebounder.  We are excited to get started with Noah next fall and are excited for what he brings to our program in all aspects," Johnson said.
 
Steele has starred for the Rapid City Stevens program, where he is averaging 13.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, .8 blocks and .8 assists per game. He is shooting 61 percent from the floor and 67 percent at the foul line. A year ago, he was part of a Stevens team that finished eighth at the South Dakota AA Boys Basketball Tourney under the direction of Head Coach Chris Stoebner.
 
"We are excited that Mason (Steele) has chosen USF. He will be a nice addition to our front court with his length, strength and upside," said Johnson. "We believe that Mason loves to work and will continue to get better and excited for his future," he said.
 
Puetz and Steele join a USF program which won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division title with a DII program-best league mark of 17-5 and finished 22-8 overall, which is the best in the program's DII era. Under direction of all-time wins' leader Chris Johnson, the Cougars have been ranked in the NCAA DII Central Region top 10 three straight weeks and earned votes in four NABC Top-25 national poll.