News Bits
Stellar Hoops: "Class of 2027 6’7 (Upward Stars 3SSB) Joshua Leonard has been offered by California. Joshua is versatile offensively, hits jumpers, strong motor on both ends of the court, makes plays for others, guards multiple positions, skilled, leader, winning attitude & explosive finisher."
Leonard is a 6-foot-7, 215 wing with a 4.4 GPA and is out of South Carolina.
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Christopher Washington Jr.: "Blessed to receive an D1 from the University of California, Berkeley."
Washington is a 2026 prospect, out of Florida and lists himself as a 6-foot-9 guard. Shades of Magic Johnson?
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Basketball Recruitment: "2025 6'8 SF Amari Reed has received an offer from Sam Houston. Reed also holds offers from Cal, North Texas, UTSA, La Tech, New Mexico St, Texas St, Texas A&M, UT-Arlington, Cal State Fullerton, South Carolina St, and Bethune-Cookman."
Gotta believe Berkeley leads in this particular competition considering the education being offered and the Bears becoming an ACC member come August 2.
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Chabot Gladiator Basketball: "Gladiator 6’3 Soph 1st team Coast North Conf G Makaio Mims has committed to a full scholarship to Western Oregon University."
Mims averaged 14.5 points while shooting 50%, 43% and 73% respectfully in addition to 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. WGU got a good one.
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Verbal Commits: "Former Portland F Thomas Oosterbroek is transferring to Dominican (CA) (DII)."
Out of The Netherlands, Oosterbrook stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 235 pounds. He was originally at Miami before transferring to Portland. He played just 125 minutes for the Pilots.
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Adrian Wojnarowski: "The Golden State Warriors are planning to hire Terry Stotts as lead assistant coach and Jerry Stackhouse as an assistant, sources tell ESPN. Both come to Steve Kerr’s staff with significant head coaching experience."
This will likely be the last coaching job for Stotts and Stackhouse is likely done with college coaching (even though Vanderbilt was a tough situation to be successful).
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Chico State Men's Basketball: "Introducing Keith Dinwiddie to the #WildcatFamily!! Keith is coming off an impressive junior season at St. Marys University, where he averaged 10 PPG in the Lone Star Conference, which is one of the most competitive DII conferences in the country."
Dinwiddie shot 45%, 38% and 64% and looks to be a senior this season.
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Cal Poly Men's Basketball: "An NABC Division II All-America selection at Colorado Mesa, Cal Poly is pleased to welcome 6-7 forward Ethan Menzies to the lineup!"
Let's see what the DII star out of Half Moon Bay High can do in D1 during his remaining two years of eligibility.
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Dedan Thomas Jr. chose UNLV over chasing NIL money. Here’s why.
Not Nor Cal related but something different in today's college basketball gotta get into the transfer portal world.
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There are a number of question marks on this season's St. Mary's roster with the biggest being who will replace leading scorer guard Aidan Mahaney? It appears that has to be 6-foot-3, 175 pound Jordan Ross who played all of 141 minutes last season, shooting 36%, 20% and 22% respectively. But he did post 17 assists to 10 turnovers, a ratio that is difficult to achieve in inconsistent playing time.
But Ross got noticed in the last of the season game for the Gaels versus Grand Canyon University due to his defensive prowess in battling the GCU backcourters who were having their way with St. Mary's guards in penetrating into the paint.
For all his positives, Mahaney was not a solid, physical defender so, in that category, Ross has the opportunity to exceed the talent he is likely replacing.
But Coach Randy Bennett will be in need of points from his backcourt, more than can be poured in just by Augustas Marciulionis. Yes, 6-foot-3 freshman guard Mikey Lewis is bringing in offensive prowess and should help but not likely consistently. The same for high school newcomer Liam Campbell who is the highest touted backcourt recruit and will produce the most offensively.
So can Ross produce enough offensively with consistent court time? I say yes but we'll find out.
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Adrian Wojnarowski: "New York Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant has agreed on a deal to become associate head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. Bryant will join Kenny Atkinson’s new staff after four years with the Knicks and the previous six with the Utah Jazz."
Bryant was a star guard at City College San Francisco and Bishop O'Dowd as well as having Oakland as his birthplace.
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The Field of 68: "OFF THE CAROUSEL! Stanford MBB new head coach Kyle Smith talks with Rob Dauster about the expectations for the Cardinal next season!"
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