FAIRBANKS — Brothers Jacob and Joel Rodgers from Burleson, Texas, have made commitments to join the Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball team this fall, coach Clemon Johnson announced Thursday in a press release.

Jacob Rodgers is a 6-foot-6 center/forward who graduated from high school in 2009. He averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and earned the all-academic award as a senior.

His best game came on Senior Night, when he scored 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds and three blocks.

Joel Rodgers is a 6-5 power forward who was named Defensive Player of the Year, all-district, first-team all-country and academic all-district as a senior in 2010. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.

“These young men will be an essential part of the Alaska basketball program’s growth and development,” Johnson said in the press release. “I am looking for a solid contribution from Joel and Jacob this year and in years to come.”

Johnson wasn’t expecting a package deal when he went on a recruiting trip to Tulsa, Okla., looking for post players at a showcase tournament at Oral Roberts University where the Rodgers brothers were playing on different teams.

Johnson had Jacob on a list of players to watch and saw Joel playing in an earlier game.

The Nanooks coach didn’t find out the two were brothers until he made the phone call to offer a scholarship to Jacob.

“My excitement continued to grow when I discovered Jacob and Joel were recent high school graduates,” Johnson said. “They were battling with JUCO players and looked good.”

Both players were multisport athletes in high school.

Jacob, who spent last year playing in recreational leagues, participated in track and field as a high jumper.

Joel also played baseball for four seasons, where he pitched, played shortstop and in the outfield. He also was a high jumper and hurdler for three seasons.

“Joel’s ability to rebound and handle the ball caught my attention,” Johnson said. “I was a little perplexed about his hesitancy to post up, but I feel I could utilize his ability to put the ball on the floor to get to the basket.

“Jacob is a strong rebounder and has the ability to score in the post.”

Contact the News-Miner sports department at 459-7581.