Gresham High School basketball star Christian Haffner will soon swap his Wildcats jersey for one with Marquette emblazoned across the front.
The 6-foot-1 guard last week agreed to attend Marquette University as one of three preferred walk-ons and will begin workouts with the Division 1 school in Milwaukee on Monday.
Haffner, who was valedictorian of Gresham’s Class of 2015, said it was his lifelong dream to play for either Marquette or Duke.
Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski played for Duke and was an assistant coach there for several years.
“This is a dream, and I have always wanted to play for Wojo and I am excited and am looking forward to it,” Haffner said. “It is something I wanted.”
Despite owning 13 school records, earning Central Wisconsin Conference-10 player of the year accolades and being a unanimous selection to the Division 5 all-state team, Haffner did not get the same exposure as top-tier players at larger schools.
Gresham Superintendent Keary Mattson stepped in to assist, helping compile game footage and sending the highlights to Division 1 schools.
“It is a hard sell to promote a Division 5 school to Division 1 colleges,” Mattson said. “Christian and I worked hard together in finding interested Division 1 schools, so we put our heads together on this.”
The footage caught the attention of former Marquette assistant Mark Phelps, who departed for the Arizona State University last month. Phelps invited Haffner to Milwaukee for a workout, which led to an offer to join the roster as a walk-on.
“It is an exciting time for the Gresham community,” Mattson said. “For someone coming from our area to a Division 1 school like Marquette is exciting.”
Gresham boys basketball coach Jeff Zobeck was not surprised Haffner impressed the Marquette coaches.
“I wouldn’t put anything past Christian in regards to his making the active roster at Marquette,” Zobeck said. “He has worked hard to get to this point in his basketball journey, and I know he will work equally hard at Marquette to make an impact as a player there.”
Haffner compiled 1,712 points, 361 rebounds and 432 assists in 98 games for the Wildcats and averaged 26.6 points per game his senior season. He also scored a career-high 47 points Jan. 6 against Sevastopol.
At the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 5 all-star game Saturday in Wisconsin Dells, Haffner scored a team-high 20 points for the North squad in a losing effort.
“I had a really good time, and it was great to meet other players, and team up with players I played against,” Haffner said. “I made a lot of good friends there.”
Haffner will take six credits of classes this summer at Marquette as he works out with the team in preparation for its trip to Italy in August.
He joins a highly touted recruiting class that includes Parade All-American selection Henry Ellenson of Rice Lake, Sacar Anim, Traci Carter, Haanif Cheatham and Matt Heldt.
Despite the competition, the move from small school to big city, and the adjustment all players go through from high school to college, Haffner’s supporters are confident he is prepared for the next step.
“He is a special player and an even better young man,” Zobeck said. “I’m positive he will succeed as he moves forward in his post-secondary education and pursuit of his basketball dreams.”
