Marquette, MI – August 19th, 2026 – Former Northern Michigan University center Jackson Dudek is taking the next step in his basketball career, signing a professional contract with the Yorkshire Dragons.
For Dudek, the opportunity represents the realization of a goal he has worked toward throughout his basketball career, from his standout high school days in Kimberly, Wisconsin, to becoming a key contributor for the Wildcats and now earning the chance to play professionally.
Dudek grew up in Kimberly, Wisconsin, under the guidance of his parents, Missy and Eric. His father, Eric, played college basketball at UW-La Crosse. He put together an impressive career with the Kimberly Papermakers, helping the program win three consecutive conference championships and reach the Wisconsin Division 1 State Championship game.
During his high school career, Dudek shot an impressive 77% from the field and recorded 62 offensive rebounds. His accomplishments earned him All-State Honorable Mention, Second Team Fox Valley Conference honors, recognition as one of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s top five post players in the state, and a selection to the WBCA All-Star Game. He was also named a Times Villager All-Area selection. Dudek was also part of a state championship team in another sport, helping Kimberly capture the 2019 Division 1 state volleyball championship.
His success on the court eventually caught the attention of Northern Michigan, where Dudek would begin his collegiate career. After redshirting his first season, Dudek saw his first game action as a redshirt freshman, appearing in 19 games and scoring 90 points, averaging 4.7 points per game. He recorded a career-best 20 points against Finlandia.
As a redshirt sophomore, Dudek appeared in 25 games, including one start. He averaged 2.2 points per game while shooting 59% from the field, finishing the season with 51 points, 35 rebounds, five steals and four blocks.
Then came his breakout season. Dudek started 14 of the 32 games he played during his redshirt junior campaign and established himself as one of Northern Michigan’s most important players. He averaged 13.2 points per game while shooting 59.8% from the field.
His biggest performance came when it mattered most. Dudek scored a season-high 19 points in the GLIAC Championship game and helped lead the Wildcats to the conference tournament title. His performance throughout the tournament earned him GLIAC Tournament MVP honors after averaging 15.7 points per game.
He also showed his ability on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds in four different games, including the GLIAC Championship.
That season also gave Dudek the opportunity to play in front of one of the largest crowds in the history of the Superior Dome when Northern Michigan hosted a highly anticipated homecoming exhibition against Tom Izzo and Michigan State, an event that was nationally televised.
With another year of eligibility available, Dudek made the decision to return to Northern Michigan for a fifth and final season. A major reason behind that decision was the bond he had formed with fellow Wildcats Sam Privet and Dylan Kuehl. The three players arrived at Northern Michigan as freshmen, grew together throughout their careers and remained committed to the program through its difficult moments. Dudek wanted the opportunity to see that journey through with the teammates who had been alongside him from the beginning.
That final season proved to be another strong one. Dudek earned Second Team All-GLIAC honors and his second consecutive CSC Academic All-District selection after starting all 35 games. He averaged 11.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 55.3% from the field and 41.9% from three-point range. He knocked down 49 three-pointers during the season and saved his biggest scoring performance for a game against Marian, where he poured in a career-high 29 points. Now, after five seasons in Marquette, Dudek is taking his talents overseas.
The Yorkshire Dragons finished last season with a 15-11 record and reached the British BCB Cup Final. Dudek will play under head coach Paul Cantwell, who is entering his second season at the helm. The Dragons also averaged a league-high 109 points per game in BCB Trophy competition last season.
For Dudek, the journey from Kimberly to Northern Michigan and now to professional basketball has been built on persistence, development and loyalty to the people and programs that helped shape his career. Now, the former Wildcat gets the opportunity to make his mark on the professional stage.
