UWGB commit Jalen Overway hopes for successful jump from NCAA Division III

“The school itself is great as well. Loved the location. On the visit, I kind of just felt it was right. They checked all the boxes I wanted in a team. It was great.”

Overway perhaps can have the same type of impact for the Phoenix that Allen did after spending the first three seasons of his career at DIII Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh.

There was a transition for Allen as he adjusted to a higher level. It appeared early on he might not pull it off, especially with how overmatched he looked during an exhibition against Bradley in October.

Allen proved he belonged by the end of the season, averaging 13.6 points, shooting 48% and scoring 20 or more points nine times.

He paid back Gottlieb for the faith he had in him after he was the only DI coach to offer a scholarship.

“I’m excited for the jump, I’m excited to take on a new challenge here,” Overway said. “I think it’s definitely going to take a little getting used to, playing against guys that are stronger and faster and just bigger all around.

“But I have full confidence that I will be able to do great against these guys, and I think the coaching staff will do a great job of helping me to fit into the system and be able to make adjustments.”

Jalen Overway overcomes knee injury to shine in 2025-26

Overway was an immediate star after arriving at Calvin in 2022 out of Holland Christian High School in Michigan.

He averaged 18.6 points and 9.9 rebounds as a freshman. He followed with 19.7 points and 10.4 rebounds as a sophomore.

But it was the final game of his sophomore season that changed his career.

Overway tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Trinity in an Elite Eight game.

He had surgery in May 2024 and missed the 2024-25 season while recovering.

It put a significant pause on all the momentum he created his first two seasons. With it came a ton of frustration.

“Yeah, it was super difficult,” Overway said. “Knowing we were going to have a really good team. That really sucked, realizing that I wasn’t going to be able to be a part of that. It’s just concentrating. You are doing stuff every day for it. You have to watch practice. You have to go on all the trips and watch games. That was something that was super hard on me, not being able to be out there with my guys.

“But I do think I am going to end up being better for it. I got a full year to really focus on my body and really just make sure that I’m in the best condition and the best shape of my life. I think my legs are stronger, I can jump higher, I can run faster. Overall, it has been a blessing in disguise a little bit.”

Not playing also did one other thing for Overway. It allowed him to become a person he hadn’t been in previous seasons.

He was never a huge leader at Calvin. Never very vocal. Overway was one of those players who gave it his all in practices and games but wasn’t looking for his voice to be heard.

He was forced to take on a different role being on the bench. He became an extra coach. He became another cheerleader for his teammates.

It helped him become that leader in his final season at Calvin.

Overway wasn’t totally back to himself after returning from his injury.

He felt great physically. His knee was sound, even though he wore a brace as a precaution.

Still, he struggled with his touch around the rim. His free throws were wonky. His overall feel for the game was just a bit off.

“I think after a few games, it clicked again,” Overway said.

Did it ever.

Overway ended up having the best statistical season of his decorated career, averaging 23.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and shooting 61.7%.

He scored double figures in all 27 games, putting up 30 or more points six times.

UWGB recruit Jalen Overway averaged 23.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and shot 61.7% at Calvin University this season.

Although he pondered entering the transfer portal in the past, the decision was easier this time despite what Calvin has meant to his entire family.

Overway’s father, Jeff, and one of his brothers, Vince, both played basketball at the school.

But with the teammates he came to Calvin with graduating this spring, and with this being his final opportunity to make a move, it was time.

He left Calvin ranked seventh in program history in points (1,717), fifth in rebounds (868) and 19th in both assists (216) and blocks (88).

Overway is prepared to do some of the same with the Phoenix. Gottlieb and his staff have told him what they have in mind.

“They have talked to me about that a bunch,” Overway said. “They have told me it’s more a European style, so I’m not going to just be sitting in the post. Here at Calvin, every once in a while I was susceptible to just kind of camping out in the post.

“The role of having the ball in my hands more outside of the lane, setting screens, doing dribble handoffs, setting zooms, just getting the offense going is kind of what the coaching staff envisions for me. … I think it’s going to be a great system for me to start getting into.”

Jalen Overway among several new additions for UWGB

UWGB already was busy adding to the 2026-27 team in the winter, when it signed Odessa College point guard Ahmere Carson.

The 6-3 Carson finished this season averaging 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

The Phoenix also has recently signed NJCAA DI Angelina College guard Clarence Payia.

The 6-6 forward and Texas native averaged 10.1 points and 6.4 rebounds as a sophomore this season after spending his first year at South Plains College.

It is believed UWGB has received commitments from two other players, although the players have not yet publicly announced their intentions.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: UWGB coach Doug Gottlieb lands Calvin University star Jalen Overway