WTMJ – Greg Matzek
One of the most historic educational institutions in the state of Wisconsin is evolving. ‘St. John’s Military Academy’ is now, ‘St. John’s Northwestern Academies’ (SJNA).
The dropping of the word “military” from its official name is not to shy away from what could be perceived as a negative connotation, but rather to signify the evolution of the college preparatory school founded in 1884.
The school’s offerings now include military, leadership and athletic academies. The latter is the most recent development.
“With AAU and club teams and club sports, there are a lot of families that are looking for schools where their child could specialize in a specific sport,” says SJNA President, Robert Fine Jr.
The athletic offerings are thanks to a partnership with Florida’s DME Academy. The leader of the basketball program at DME is former NBA sharpshooter, Wesley Person.
“He’s not here just to create future NBA’ers,” Fine continues. “He’s here to develop young men and women…we’re starting with basketball, but this is going to expand to other sports as well.”
Person is now embedded in the school’s DNA as the face of a basketball program that produced Brandin Podziemski. A first-team all-state performer in High School, Podziemski was selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.
“Having Brandon being drafted gives the kids an opportunity to look up to something,” Person said. “Having him drafted by the Golden State Warriors can only help.”
So too can Person, who finished his 11-year NBA career as a 41.8 percent three-point shooter.
“The opportunity to have a national team here in this area — we can tap into the Midwest and hopefully draw some interest and get kids the exposure they need.”
From Daytona Beach to Delafield, Person is looking to make a splash with local, regional, and world-wide recruiting. Having played professionally for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he knows the best way to beat the cold is to be in the gym.
Jokingly, Person quipped, “I still got my coat!”
View the full story from WTMJ here.
To learn more about DME Academy at St. John’s Northwestern Academies, click here.
Kris and Keegan Murray were at it again. The twin brothers, who made a name for themselves at DME Academy, put on a show during this year’s NBA Summer League.
Keegan Murray was the talk of the California Classic held at the Golden 1 Center, where he finished as the top scorer of the event on his home court. In the Sacramento Kings’ first game of the event, Murray helped his team to a 100-94 win over the Golden State Warriors, leading all scorers with 29 points. Two days later in a match up against the Miami Heat, Murray topped his already-stellar performance by racking up 41 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block. Murray closed out the event in front of a jaw-dropped home crowd as the California Classic’s top scorer, with 70 points in 62 minutes of play and an undefeated 2-0 record for the Kings.
In his brother’s NBA debut, Kris Murray proved why he was a 2023 first-round draft pick. In the Trailblazers third game of the NBA Summer League, Murray led his team to a 97-93 win over Charlotte at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Blazers forward contributed 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 7 rebounds in his 32 minutes on the court. His scoring efficiency is something that Portland is sure to be excited about for the upcoming NBA season.
Kris and Keegan Murray both attended DME Academy as post-graduate basketball players, where their recruiting stock took a turn for the better. They went on to continue their careers in the Big Ten, donning the black and gold for the University of Iowa. In 2022, Keegan Murray was drafted as the fourth overall pick to the Sacramento Kings. The 6’8” small forward had a notable rookie year, averaging 12.2 points and shooting 41% from the 3-point range, helping the Kings make the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and earning himself a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team. A year after Keegan was drafted, his brother Kris was picked up by the Portland Trailblazers in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. The Murray brothers’ careers have been nothing short of impressive, and we can only expect continued success at the professional level from here.
DME Academy’s basketball program develops student-athletes to compete at the highest level. To find out more, click here.
DME Academy boys basketball student-athletes, Moustapha Thiam and Elijah Duval, have both earned spots on the prestigious ESPN Top 100 ranking list.
Moustapha Thiam, the 7’0” 200lb center for DME, earned the 51st spot on the list of 2025 recruits. Thiam’s impressive size, combined with his basketball IQ, make him an easy target down low and a scoring machine. Despite his age, he’s already a leader on the court and receiving offers from colleges who want him to be a part of their team.
Occupying the 76th spot on the 2024 list is Elijah Duval, a 6’2″ point guard for DME.
If you dream of becoming an ESPN Top 100 caliber player like Thiam and Duval, check out DME Academy’s boys basketball program.
Dominika Paurova, a DME Academy graduate (‘23), represented the Czech Republic at the 2023 FIBA Women’s Eurobasket tournament held in Tel Aviv, Israel from June 15-23.
At just 18 years old, the Czech Republic native was the second-youngest athlete competing in this year’s tournament, but that was no problem for Paurova. With 4 points, 3 rebounds, a steal and a block in the fourth quarter of their game against Greece, the 6’1” small forward helped her team advance to the quarterfinals.
The Czech Republic team finished seventh overall in the tournament with a 3-3 record, and the women’s team from Belgium took home the title with a win over Spain for their first-ever FIBA EuroBasket championship.
As Paurova continues to build on her impressive basketball career, the next stop along the way is Oregon State University. She joins the Beavers as one of three incoming freshmen for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Oregon State women’s basketball head coach, Scott Rueck, said of Paurova, “Beaver Nation will love the competitive and exciting nature she brings to the court, as well as her creativity on the offensive end.”
To learn more about how DME Academy can help take your basketball career to the next level, click here.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The DME Academy at St. John’s Northwestern Academies partnership took center stage at the 2023 NBA Draft as two former standout products of each academy were selected in the first round of the draft.
On Thursday, June 22, 2023, Brandin Podziemski, a 2021 graduate of SJNA, was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 19th pick. Soon after, the Portland Trail Blazers utilized the 23rd pick to add DME Academy post-graduate basketball alumnus, Kris Murray, to their roster.
Launched less than a month prior to the draft, the 2023 NBA Draft was a banner night for the DME at SJNA program. With two draft picks in quick succession, the partnership announced itself under the bright lights of the Barclays Center as a hub for top talent, and laid a clear pathway to the highest levels of the game for the next generation of DME at SJNA student-athletes.
With 11-year NBA veteran Wesley Persons set to coach the newly established DME at SJNA teams in the upcoming season, and DME co-founder Dan Panaggio’s wealth of NBA coaching experience, the new partnership is set to take flight and offer its students next level experience and guidance that is solely found through the DME at SJNA program.
Before they heard NBA commissioner Adam Silver call their names out on Thursday (June 22) night, both Brandin and Kris put in the work and shined on their respective campuses.
At St. John’s Northwestern, Podziemski accumulated more than 2,000 career points, was recognized as a three-time All-State honoree, and in 2021, he was awarded the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s Mr. Basketball and the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year. After graduating from SJNA, he continued his basketball career at Santa Clara University.
Murray, too, was very successful at the academy level. At DME, he averaged 17.1 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, and shot 48 percent from the field.
Catch Brandin and Kris getting geared up for the NBA season next week (July 3-6) at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The partnership between DME and SJNA aims to continue to produce elite student-athletes, like Brandin Podziemski and Kris Murray. To learn more or apply to be a part of the DME at SJNA partnership in Delafield, Wisconsin click here: DME at SJNA
To follow along with Kris Murray’s journey from DME Academy to the big leagues, click here.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a premier sports and education facility located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Academy provides a range of sports programs for athletes of all ages and skill levels, as well as top-notch educational opportunities. DME Sports Academy’s mission is to empower young athletes to reach their full potential on and off the field. To learn more, visit www.dmeacademy.com.
About St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Founded in 1884, St. John’s Northwestern Academies develops young men and women inspired to become responsible citizens and moral and ethical leaders for the global community through excellence in Academics, Leadership Skills, Spiritual and Character Development, and well-being through Athletic Activities and Healthy Life Habits. For more information, visit sjnacademies.org.
Kris Murray, DME Academy Post-Graduate Basketball alumnus (2019-2020), was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday, June 22. Portland selected the 6’8” forward with the 23rd pick in the first round.
The Blazers’ selection made Murray the second first-round pick in DME Academy history, following his brother Keegan who was drafted in 2022 as the fourth overall pick by the Sacramento Kings.
Murray’s draft achievement comes as a result of an impressive basketball career built on hard work, drive, and always staying humble. Since his post-graduate year at DME, which put him on the map as a top forward in the nation, Murray has gained the respect of his teammates and coaches as someone you always wanted on the court and as a part of your team. Dan Panaggio, DME Academy founder, said, “Kris Murray had a huge impact on DME Academy. He personified all the best qualities we look for in our student-athletes.
Murray is coming off an impressive career at the University of Iowa, having scored over 20 points 17 times, double figures 43 times, and seven career double-doubles. After his junior season, he received third-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten honors and was named a semifinalist for both the John R.
Murray joins the Blazers who are coming off a 33-49 overall record, and 13th place in the NBA Western Conference. He’s expected to make an immediate impact for Portland as an NBA-ready combo forward.
To follow along with Murray’s journey to the big leagues, click here.
Have dreams to one day #BallLikeMurray? Click here to learn more about our elite basketball program.
Kris Murray, DME Academy Post-Graduate basketball alumnus (‘20), is gearing up for the 2023 NBA Draft – and analysts anticipate he’ll be a hot pick.
The 6’8” forward for the University of Iowa has had an incredible basketball career so far, and will undoubtedly continue to dominate at the professional level. However, Murray wasn’t always a top prospect.
Kris Murray came to DME Academy as a 3-star recruit, knowing that he had potential that hadn’t yet been reached. Although he was initially unsure about attending a prep school program in Florida, visiting and experiencing the campus culture made him realize he had made the right decision. Kris said, “I was nervous coming to DME because it was the first time I had really been away from home, but when I arrived here, it felt like home. It’s ultimately a family environment and it put me at ease, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.”
He spent his post-graduate year in Daytona Beach training alongside DME’s elite coaches and trainers, developing his game on and off the court, and competing in one of the country’s most competitive basketball conferences. A 247 Sports reporter described Kris and twin brother Keegan’s impressive development, stating, “They went to DME Academy and it became one of the best decisions they ever made.”
In October 2019, DME Academy hosted top competition like IMG Academy and MontVerde Academy at the DME Jamboree. Murray put on a show for fans and spectators, and gave top SEC, ACC, and Big Ten basketball coaches a new name to add to their watch lists. It was then that the offers started rolling in, and the Murray brothers chose to head back to their home state of Iowa to don the black and gold.
DME Academy retired Murray’s number (#25) in July 2022, after his impressive performance at the academy, and then at the college level. DME Academy Founder, Dan Panaggio, described it as an easy decision, stating, “Character, drive and dedication are all characteristics we demand of current and future DME student-athletes, and the Murray brothers are a perfect example of that.”
Analysts expect Murray to be picked up in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, which will air on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 8pm ET on ABC and ESPN. To keep up with Murray’s draft status, follow along here.
To learn how you too can make your dreams a reality, check out DME Academy’s basketball program.
DME Academy girls basketball student-athletes, Ines Goryanova and Keira Scott, have both earned spots on the prestigious ESPNW Top 100 ranking list for 2024 recruits.
Goryanova, a point guard for DME, earned the 79th ranking spot on the list. This remarkable playmaker continues to receive offers from renowned Division I programs, but she is yet to make a decision regarding her future beyond DME.
Occupying the 89th spot on the list is Keira Scott, a versatile 6’2″ wing for DME. Scott had an abundance of Division I offers to choose from but ultimately decided to commit to Syracuse University once she completes her studies at DME Academy.
With their impressive ESPNW Top 100 rankings, Goryanova and Scott add to DME’s girls basketball program’s ‘HERstory’ of developing elite student-athletes. In the class of 2022, DME Academy had two players ranked in ESPNW’s Top 100, as well. Sydney Shaw, the now starting point guard for Auburn University ranked 50th, while University of Georgia forward, Amiya Evans, earned the 66th spot.
If you dream of becoming one of the best in the country, check out DME’s girls basketball program.
Daytona Beach, FL – On May 25, 2023, DME Academy and St. John’s Northwestern Academies (SJNA) announced an exciting new partnership between the two academic institutions.
Starting in the 2023-24 academic year, DME and SJNA will work together to amplify the sports program at St. John’s Northwestern in Delafield, Wisconsin. The joint venture kicks off with 11-year NBA veteran Wesley Person, currently at DME Academy in Daytona, Florida, bringing the successful DME basketball academy to SJNA. This move is the beginning of what both academies expect to be a deeper relationship whereby DME Academy will lead and grow more sports programs at the SJNA campus.
“We are so excited to partner with DME Academy,” said Bob Fine, President of SJNA. “They bring an instantly recognizable sports name to boost our already strong academic and athletic programs here at St. John’s Northwestern. Together with DME, the program has never been in safer hands, and the power of the two brands will provide our student-athletes with a pathway for success both on and off the court.”
The basketball brand of St. John’s Northwestern will be on show this summer at the 2023 NBA Draft by Brandin Podziemski ’21. The Lancer great is projected to be drafted in the first round and was named the West Coast Conference (WCC) Co-Player of the Year during his time at Santa Clara University. At SJNA, Podziemski racked up over 2,000 career points, was a three-time All-State honoree, and in 2021 he earned the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s Mr. Basketball, along with the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year.
DME Academy has quickly grown its Daytona campus from 75 to 225 full-time student-athletes over the past three years, built on a reputation for delivering a world-class experience. DME will be bringing in its elite admissions and recruiting team, which features an international arm, experienced coaches, support staff, relationships, and pathway opportunities for all student-athletes.
On the court, DME also brings with them a proven history of preparing players to excel at the top levels of the game. Just this season, DME Academy alumni Keegan Murray was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft and has broken into the scene in a huge way, smashing the all-time record for made three-pointers by a rookie with 206.
“As DME continues to grow, it’s essential to find the right partners that share our vision for providing a better experience for student-athletes. SJNA has a beautiful campus, academic success, great facilities, committed staff, and the shared belief that together we can accomplish more. We are ready to collaborate and bring the best of both institutions to the table,” stated Dan Panaggio, Founder of DME Academy.
With the new partnership, student-athletes who choose to join the “DME at SJNA” program will also have the opportunity to tap into SJNA’s 140 years of academic excellence, including dual enrollment college and AP courses, STEM curriculum, leadership development, and a top-level aviation program.
To learn more or apply to be a part of the DME at SJNA partnership in Delafield, Wisconsin click here:
Founded in 1884, St. John’s Northwestern Academies develops young men and women inspired to become responsible citizens and moral and ethical leaders for the global community through excellence in Academics, Leadership Skills, Spiritual and Character Development, and well-being through Athletic Activities and Healthy Life Habits. For more information, visit sjnacademies.org.
###
Keegan, a rookie forward for the Sacramento Kings, recently broke the record for most 3-pointers made by a rookie in a single season in a single season with 188 and is on pace for over 200. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His impressive shooting skills have been a major factor in the King’s success this season, helping them compete with some of the top teams in the league and clinching a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2006, 17 years ago. Keegan’s countless hours shooting on the court at DME Academy helped him develop his skills and prepare for the challenges of playing at the highest level of basketball.
Kris Murray, a junior guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has also been making headlines this season. In 2023, he was named a consensus All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the United States Basketball Writers Association, and other major organizations. Kris has been averaging 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game this year. Kris’s time at DME Academy helped him develop his skills and prepared him to excel at the college level. His impressive performances helped lead the Hawkeyes to a successful season as they earned a No. 8 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Both Murray brothers’ jerseys were retired by DME Academy at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is known for its elite basketball program and has produced many successful players over the years. The program focuses on developing the skills and abilities of young players, preparing them for the challenges of playing at the highest level of basketball. Keegan and Kris Murray are just two examples of the many talented players to come out of the DME Academy program. Their success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and staff at DME Academy, and the impact they have on the lives of young basketball players.
Interested in training at DME Academy? Check out our Summer Prep basketball camp here!