Jermaine Washington Is Ready To Lead

6-foot-1 returning San Jose State University sophomore point Jermaine Washington is ready for the season to start now. He foresees San Jose State University having a winning season and, as one of only four Spartan scholarship returnees to date, his take is the team is meshing well despite having to blend in a large number of newcomers.

Even as an underclassman, Washington is also ready to provide leadership to his crew, something he believes has to come from, although is not limited to, the player holding down the point guard position.

Washington's First Season

Out of Riverside County, Washington saw plenty of action in his initial year, playing in 34 games (out of 35) and starting seven while averaging 20 minutes a contest, seventh on the team. Regarding his sole season, he looked back and explained, "I wanted to be a spark defensively, not force anything offensively and get the game to slow down for me."The latter is a term where greater experience generally allows a player to better know what to expect and understand what will and won't occur/work in various situations on the court. He added, "playing the point is the most difficult position and I always want to do better."

Why did he choose SJSU? CalHiSports named Washington to its All-State Underclass Team in 2023 and he then signed a letter-of-intent in mid-November 2023 (his SJSU offer came in mid-July). After a visit along with his family to Spartanville, "I felt like SJSU was a better opportunity."

As a senior, CalHiSports selected Washington to its All-State open division/D1 fourth team in 2024. Despite the distance from a home in Riverside County, "my family has been to a lot of my games in San Jose and the San Diego State game down there."

This Coming Season

As for his role in the upcoming season, Washington sees himself "being more inspirational and a more vocal and emotional leader, getting my teammates to the right spots, and playing my game. When the energy is low, it's my job to pick the guys up by talking and encouraging them."

He noted it's important to find out what works and what doesn't work in connecting with each teammate when he converses.

Asked to detail his skills set, Washington started his analysis with, "always playing hard." Then, "I shoot the ball really well and I'm really good on defense." In getting prepared for the new season, Washington is working on shooting accuracy with an assistant coach until he makes 400 shots, twice a day.

The team is coming off a series of workouts that start with performing drills, then working on offense and defense as again, Coach Tim Miles and his staff are having to introduce unfamiliar systems of play on both sides of the court to seven scholarship newcomers (the eighth is still overseas playing ball but will report soon). Plus three of the returnees are relatively new underclassmen.

Does Washington envision the Spartans having a successful season in 2025-26? "Definitely, we are capable of having a winning season." What may be a little thought of factor vis-à-vis hoops prosperity is Washington's response to a query about who is the funniest Spartan. Possibly diplomatically, he said, "A lot of them, I'm not going to lie. This is a funny group and a really good personality team."

Undecided on a major at this point, Washington is mulling over the directions of business or kinesiology.

Potpourri, Jul 28

News Bits

Sacramento Renegades: "Congratulations to Sebastian James. Cal Poly Humboldt got a steal. Let’s work."

James is a 6-foot-7 wing attending Sheldon High and playing AAU with the Sacto Renegades.

........................................

"Herb Sendek's Contract Extended Through 2030"

........................................

Parker Spees: "Blessed to receive an offer from UC Rivers."

The 6-foot-9 2026 Spees attends San Joaquin Memorial High.

........................................

"The D1 Obsession: Chasing the Dream" - Dino Cook Sr.

........................................

Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’6 Guard Souleymane Oussoukpevi from Rueil Athletic Club, France to the Pirate Family."

Coach Brice Fantazia adds another French talent to his 2025-26 roster.

........................................

Jake Lieberman: "6’2 Central Michigan transfer Gus Salem has committed to West Valley College Juco. Salem took a medical redshirt year at CMU in 2024. High level PG that can pass, handle and shoot."

Coach Yoshikawa keeps reloading for the 2025-26 season.

........................................

"(Jaden) McClanahan Returns to Utah Valley as Graduate Assistant"

McClanahan is out of Salesian Prep.

........................................

Verbal Commits: "2026 Snow College (UT) F/C Aaron Bliss has received an offer from Sacramento State."

The 6-foot-10, 210 pound Bliss is a freshman out of Ponderosa High located just above the Sacto area.

........................................

Compton Magic: "6-5 Cameron Anderson ERHS Basketball has picked up an offer from San Jose State."

Anderson is a 2028 prospect.

AND

Dhani Miller: "After a great conversation with Coach Gipson. I am extremely blessed to receive a offer from San Jose State University."

Miller is a 6-foot-2 2026 point.

........................................

Joe Tipton: "4⭐️ Aziz Olajuwon, the son of NBA Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, has scheduled the following official visits, he tells Rivals:

• Stanford: July 31st
• Cincinnati: September 26th
• TCU: October 3rd"

If he comes west, could it be the start of Phi Slama Jama II?

........................................

Mid-Major Madness: "MMM Big West Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Aidan Mahaney (UCSB. One of the best three-point shooters in the country is coming back out west and is ready to feast. He was an all-league player at Saint Mary’s and started five games at UConn. Great system for him by the beach."

The pride of Campolindo High.

........................................

Steven Karr: "There is no player (excluding GU) in the WCC I’m more interested in watching this season than Mantas Juzenas. I think he’s going to be a monster for SMC as the season rolls along. Could see him winning POY during his time there if he stays."

The Gaels would benefit from having a step-forward guy. Juzenas is a 6-foot-6 freshman wing out of Lithuania. Steven Karr is a bigtime Gonzaga fan so this isn't a Gael diehard writing.

........................................

Potpourri, Jul 21

News Bits

Parks Weaver: "Grateful to receive my 5th D1 offer from Cal State Bakersfield. Thank you to the entire staff for your belief in me."

The 6-foot-3, 2027 point attends Folsom High and also has offers from Pepperdine, Northern Ariziona, Northern Illinois and Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Here's a Weaver feature written by Dino Cook Sr.

........................................

Templeton (Dooda) Fountaine V: "after a great conversation with Coach Jorge Ruiz, I am blessed to receive my first D1 offer from Weber State University. Thank you to the coaching staff for believing in me. Go Wildcats!"

AND

Templeton (Dooda) Fountaine V: "after a great conversation with Coach Chris Cobb, I am blessed to receive a Division 1 offer from University Of Montana. Go Grizz!"

With Team Lillard and Vanden High. Fountaine is a 6-foot-3 2027 backcourter.

........................................

Maximus VanLaningham: "Blessed to receive an offer from Cal Baptist University. Thank you Coach Croy for believing in me. Go Lancers!"

Wonder what Coach Rick Croy has available in NIL funds? The 2026 VanLaningham stands 6-foot-8, weighs 220 and attends Woodcreek High. Croy played at San Francisco State and assisted at St. Mary's.

........................................

Verbal Commits: "2026 Panola College (TX) F C.J. Worsham has received an offer from San José State."

Out of Chicago, the 6-foot-8 Worsham is a self-described point forward. Central Michigan and Kansas City also offered earlier this month.

AND

The Portal Report: "One of the Top 2026 JUCO prospects, Damarion Vann-Kelly, is currently scheduling visits to Oregon and San Jose State, he tells TPR."

"The 6-foot-4 Vann-Kelly, a Fab 50 JUCO Freshman per JucoRecruiting, will play this season at Northwest Florida State (JUCO)."

Here's a Van-Kelly feature article.

He's out of Monterey Trail High.

........................................

Jake Lieberman: "Bowling Green transfer Derrick Butler has received interest from Pacific, Texas A&M & Clemson. Graduate transfer. Averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds & 1.0 assists in 31 games."

........................................

"Tyler Harris Scouting Report -- The Washington standout made a great decision to transfer to Vanderbilt. It's a given he'll continue to impact in the SEC, while putting himself on NBA radars."

The 6-foot-7 Harris is out of Granada High. Ersin Demir does his usual very informative job here.

........................................

"I can confirm that Kevin Pham is no longer the head men’s basketball coach at rising NCAA D2 UC Merced."

"Pham, the 2024-25 California Pacific Conference Coach of the Year, had been at the helm of the Bobcats for the past ten seasons. Last season, Pham led the Bobcats to a 20-7 record and a perfect 10-0 mark in Cal Pac play. Pham is only the second coach in UC Merced men’s basketball history, taking over the program following a three-year stint as the Bobcats women’s basketball coach."

"UC Merced is transitioning from the the NAIA to NCAA D2 where they will join the CCAA starting in the 2025-26 season."

More on this move once it becomes official." -- Adam King

........................................

Will Corbett: "Grateful to receive an offer from Dominican University! Thank you Coach (Justin) Argenal and the rest of the coaching staff for believing in me!"

The 6-foot-3 Corbett is a 2026 combo guard attending Bellarmine College Prep.

........................................

Nathalio Gray Jr. (NJ): "After a great talk with coachwilder, I’m blessed to receive a Division 1 offer from University of New Mexico. Thank you to the coaching staff for believing in me."

This one will likely be very attractive because of the fanatic fan support and game atmosphere to the 2027 The Branson School 6-1 point. But it's the NIL amount that ultimately wins the hearts and minds 99% of the time.

........................................

Bill O'Rear: "Former San Diego State standout Keshad Johnson had a huge game as the Heat beat the Celtics 100-96 in NBA Summer League action Monday in Las Vegas. Keshad, a Heat wing, had 22 points (8/10 FG, 2/4 3’s & 4/4 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals & 1 block in 31 minutes."

Johnson is out of San Leandro High.

........................................

6-foot-8, 240 pound Jordahn Johnson is looking for a college home in his final year of eligibility or in playing overseas.

Link to a 2:30 video of Johnson participating in the recent Eurograde Combine.

He is out of Weston Ranch High, Las Positas College and Cal Poly Humboldt.

........................................

JUCORecruiting: "UL Monroe has offered 6’6 G Qshawn On'gele, 2026 College of Sequoias."

He's a sophomore.

AND

Jake Lieberman: "College of the Sequoias (Juco) has landed two Division 1 transfers:"

"Rippen Gill: 6’7 guard/forward from Fresno State. Four to play."

"Mason Dorsey: 6’5 guard from Bethune Cookman. Three to play."

........................................

Gavilan College MBB: "Our very own Fabi is going pro!!! 2-Time All Coast-South performer Fabian Reichstadt (2022-2024) has just signed a contract to play professional basketball in his native country of Germany."

He's 6-foot-8 and schooled at Capital Christian High, then Gavilan College followed by Stanislaus State.

........................................

Jackson Cascio is a new assistant coach at Menlo College. He worked earlier at Santa Clara as a graduate assistant for two years.

........................................

Sajjin Sidhu: "Blessed to receive my first offer from Dominican University of California!"

Sidhu is a 6-foot-4 combo guard with high academics from San Joaquin Memorial High.

........................................

"Damian Lillard reaches deal to return to Trail Blazers"

His family still resides in Portland.

........................................

Miles Byrd has Type 1 diabetes, since the 8th grade, and now he's speaking out about his situation.

........................................

Potpourri, Jul 14

News Bits

DMOLOGY: "Congrats, Andrew Hilman! 2026 Hilman has received an offer from Northern Illinois. DMOLOGY, fostering global leaders by cultivating greatness on and off the court."

Hillman is a 6-foot-4 2026 combo guard attending Archbishop Riordan.

........................................

Chase Robertson: "After a great conversation with Coach Williams, I am blessed and grateful to receive my first Division 1 Offer from Portland State University! Thankful for the coaching staff for believing in me."

The 2026 6-foot-5 combo guard attends The Branson School.

........................................

"Kaden Holdbrook Joins Denver Men's Basketball"

Holdbrook is an Palo Alto native. He averaged 15.8 points per game as a sophomore at D3 Macalester College and is following his Macalester coach Abe Woldeslassie to the biggest city in Colorado as well as making the jump to D1.

........................................

Simply Basketball: "NJ Gray (2027) receives another offer from LMU! Also received offers from Seattle, USF, USD, and Pacific in the past month! Solidifying him as one of the top PG on the west coast."

Gray is a 6-foot-1 The Branson School attendee.

........................................

Arden Independence Cravalho: "WCChoops alums in NBA's Summer League (Part 1):"

• Washington State's Cedric Coward — Memphis
• Saint Mary's Augustas Marciulionis — LAL
• Saint Mary's Logan Johnson — Denver
• Saint Mary's Alex Ducas — OKC
• USF's Marcus Williams — Miami
• USF's Jamaree Bouyea — Milwaukee

661 Hoops/Central Cali Prospects: "Congrats to Cedric Coward (former CentralEastBB & WSUCougars player) on being selected #11 in the 2025 NBA Draft! Coward was the MVP of our 2021 Central Cali Prospects All-Star Game! True testament of what it takes to make it in the new era of college hoops, as he had no D1 offers coming out of HS & went D3. Earned Rookie of the Year honors, transferred to LM Eastern Washington before landing at Washington State! The physical build, tools, and IQ were noticeable in HS but it took dedication and determination for him to reach his hoop goals and dreams. Another 559 boy making it to the League! Keep that trust in God and go be great!"

........................................

Jake Lieberman: "2026 6’10 wing/forward Rho Omed out of Canada has transferred to Spire Academy in Ohio. Holds an offer from Cal and has heard from St. Joe’s, Marshall, St. Louis, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina, among others."

........................................

Verbal Commits: "2026 San Joaquin Memorial (CA) F Parker Spees has received an offer from Montana."

AND

Parker: "Blessed to receive my third Division 1 Offer from Boston University!"

Spees stands 6-foot-9 with superb grades. The Ivies may jump in here. Fresno State has also offered — he attends San Joaquin Memorial High in Fresno.

AND

Parker: "Blessed to receive a Division 1 offer from Pepperdine!"

........................................

West Valley College Coach Danny Yoshikawa is re-loading:

Isaiah Ackerman: "Committed! Looking forward to competing for West Valley College men's basketball next year. Thx Head Coach Danny Yoshikawa and Coach Dustin Williams for the opportunity."

He's a 6-foot-4 guard out of Aptos High (near Santa Cruz) and a two time league MVP.

AND

"6’4 combo guard Basti Williams has committed to West Valley College (Juco), I’m told. Already receiving interest from Stetson, Chattanooga, Mercyhurst, among other programs."

AND

"6’8 220 pound forward Moise Malengele is committing to West Valley College (Juco). The forward from Netherlands averaged 11.0 points & 10.5 rebounds for EYBL (Italy) this season."

AND

"6’1 Cyrus Hassan has committed to West Valley College Men's Basketball. “Cyrus’s IQ and feel for the game is what stood out to me, his shooting ability and ability to make guys better around him. He’s a true pass, handle and shoot, guy.” — Coach Dwight Williams of West Valley College

AND

"6'9 forward William Amoah is transferring to West Valley College (Juco) for his sophomore season. Averaged 15.7 points & 8.4 rebounds. Receiving D1 interest."

AND

"6’6 UC Riverside transfer David Manea has committed to West Valley College (Juco). Redshirted this past season. Was a standout player for GSP Prep in 23-24."

AND

"6-foot-6 guard Alonzo Huff has committed to West Valley College."

AND

"5’11 PG Dontae Bell from Leo Academy has committed to West Valley College (Juco). Averaged 15.5 points, 4.1 assists & 2.3 steals. Already receiving D1 interest."

AND

Jake Lieberman: "6’9 Jordy Ndjomo has committed to West Valley College. Recent de-commit from Cal Baptist. One of the top prospects from France since 2006. Full qualifier."

........................................

St. Mary's Hoops: "Good luck to our guy Beau Levesque ‘16 who is coaching the Lakers in the 2025 California Classic Summer League games!"

Levesque is out of De La Salle High. He aced his academics in Moraga and contributed more on the court each season of his hoops eligibility.

........................................

Coach Matt Okada: "Extremely grateful for 4 transformative years at Dominican. Thank you to everyone who helped us build a foundation for future success. Coach Holmquist, thank you for providing an opportunity for me to be closer to my friends, family and faith. Go Eagles. LA, we’re home!"

Okada is now on the staff at Biola University in La Mirada. official announcement

........................................

Coach Mike Marcial: "Dawg Justin Milch in the house! Justin finished his Sr. year at Holy Cross College and got his BA in marketing 🎓. He is attending Notre Dame to continue his MA this fall!"

Milch is a 6-foot-2 shooting guard who came out of Terra Nova High, graduated from College of San Mateo and has now earned a degree from Holy Cross College (IN).

........................................

Guard Chance McMillian recently underwent ankle surgery so obviously he won't be playing this summer with the Warriors summer squad. A Vallejo native, the 6-foot-3 sharpshooting guard graduated from Bethel High and attended Golden State Prep.

feature article

........................................

"Jalen Williams, Thunder agree to rookie max extension"

Might there be a donation forthcoming to Santa Clara University, especially considering that Herb Sendek, Williams' coach, is still in charge of the program? $287,000,000 goes a mighty long way.

........................................

Damarion Vann-Kelly: "After a great conversation with Coach Strohm I am blessed to receive an offer from San Jose State University!!"

Out of Monterey Trail High, DV-K will be playing his sophomore season at Northwest Florida in 2025-26.

AND

Damarion Vann-Kelly: "After a great conversation with Coach Joe Esposito! I am blessed to receive an offer from University of Missouri Kansas City!!"

........................................

CSU East Bay Men's Basketball: "Incredible year from the Pios in the classroom!"

That is remarkable!

........................................

Verbal Commits: "2027 Crespi Carmelite (CA) G Isaiah Barnes has received an offer from Sacramento State."

He's a 6-foot-3 guard and a son of former NBA and UCLA player Matt Barnes.

........................................

Potpourri, Jul 7

News Bits

PD Web: "2026 Elias Obenyah (6’5 G) of Salesian Prep (CA & Team Lillard has earned an offer from UC Davis."

Could see him at GuardU and such a move would keep him in Nor Cal.

AND

PD Web: "2026 Elias Obenyah (6’5 G) of Salesian Prep (CA) & Team Lillard has earned an offer from Stanford."

My money is on the Cardinal IF NIL money is comparable to any other offer.

AND

PD Web: "2026 Elias Obenyah (6’5 G) of Salesian Prep (CA) & Team Lillard has earned an offer from UC Santa Barbara.

AND

PD Web: "2026 Elias Obenyah (6’5 G) of Salesian Prep (CA) & Team Lillard has earned an offer from Nevada."

Obenyah is in need of a spreadsheet to keep track of all his offers and their pluses and minuses.

........................................

Devaughn Dorrough: "Extremely blessed to have received an offer from UNLV!"

Not going to happen because Dorrough will be going to one of the top 10 hoops schools in the country. Stanford, Washington, San Diego State, USF, USC, California, San Jose State University, McNeese State (????), Weber State, UC Riverside and Sacramento State have each offered. His new school is Coronado High in Las Vegas so it's likely I won't be posting much about him anymore.

........................................

Former Sacramento State assistant Brady Bergeson is the new head coach at Cal State San Marcos. 

Really, the sole reason for this item is to list the names of he and his wife's three children: Dash, Pilot and Clutch. I don't think he runs a sedate offense.

........................................

Gladiator Basketball: "Gladiator 6’3 Soph PG 2 X 1st team Coast North Conference selection Marcellus Edwards has committed to a full scholarship to Concordia University."

A Speights Academy grad, he could help the majority of the Nor Cal D1 programs.

........................................

Gladiator Basketball: "Gladiator 6’5 Soph PG F Jeylen Slayton has committed to a scholarship to Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio."

A 6-foot-4 guard, he prepped at Newark Memorial High and transferred in to Chabot College from Cuesta College

........................................

Modesto Junior College Coach Brice Fantazia is at work to produce a replica record, or better, in the 2025-26 season.

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’6 Wing Max (Oak Ridge High) Manfredi to the Pirate Family. Max is a transfer from American River College where he was named First Team Big 8 while averaging 17.8 PPG and 7.1 REB."

AND

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’8 Forward Mohamed Sene from Mbour, Sénégal and Stade Toulousain Basketball of France to the Pirate Family."

AND

MJC Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’6 Guard Kwamé Kimoto from La Roche sur Yon, France to the Pirate Family."

........................................

"A basketball murder, surprise parole, and a whistleblower's life upended"

Dan Wetzel goes masterfully long and deep about the ramifications surrounding Patrick Dennehy's murder. Dennehy attended Wilcox High and graduated from St. Francis High. Coach Dave Bliss emerges as a contemptible human being here.

........................................

Sada Nganga: "BIG THANKS to http://bluegoldnil.com Proud to be a Spartan! @BlueGoldNIL @SanJoseStateMBB"

The 6-foot-10, 220 pound forward is apparently returning after hitting the transfer portal.

AND

Verbal Commits: "2026 Marist (IL) F Stephen Brown has received an offer from San José State."

Brown is 6-foot-7 and uber athletic. His shooting range and scoring ability are developing.

AND

Verbal Commits: "2026 Francis Parker (CA) G Ezekiel Walker has received an offer from San José State."

He's a 6-foot-2 sharpshooting guard out of the San Diego area who missed last summer's AAU action due to injury.

........................................

Chapman Basketball: "It’s officially official — Dylan Mansour is a Panther! Hailing from Lafayette, California, Dylan is a product of Campolindo High School, where he was a league champion in 2021, 2022, and 2023, compiling an impressive 51-10 record over his final two seasons."

Mansour stands 6-foot-3 and is headed to the OC. He spent this past season at Washington, seeing action in five games.

........................................

"CHUCK TERRELL NAMED EXEC. DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPS & PLAYER MANAGEMENT"

Out of Oakland, Terrell played first at San Jose State University, then Pacific and is now back in the college ranks at Georgia Tech.

........................................

Verbal Commits: "2026 Basha (AZ) G Mason Magee has received an offer from UC Davis."

USF offered the 6-foot-1 point last week.

........................................

Nathalio Gray Jr. (NJ): "After a great talk with Coach Muench. I’m blessed to receive a Division 1 offer from LMU. Thank you to the coaching staff for believing in me."

He's a 6-foot-1 2027 point attending The Branson School who will be going much higher. LMU is one of those schools trying to get on/stay on the right side of .500, then to 20 wins and hopefully springboard from there but a struggle it has been.

........................................

Siincere Hudson: "After a great phone call with LMU Coach Johnson, I'm blessed to have received an offered from LMU basketball."

Ditto: He's a 6-foot-1 2027 point now attending Modesto Christian High who will be going much higher. LMU is one of those schools trying to get on/stay on the right side of .500, then to 20 wins and hopefully springboard from there but a struggle it has been.

........................................

Devin Aye: "Congrats to Jags sophomore, Chinedu Nwankwo on his full scholarship commitment to NCAA II powerhouse, Kentucky Wesleyan! Chin was First Team Defense, and All Conference Honorable Mention. He carries a 3.5 GPA. Chin is the 6th Jag to sign a scholarship to University in ‘25!"

Out of Kimball High in Tracy, Nwankio stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 205. He averaged 9.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this past season.

........................................

Welchy Report: "Part 2 Top Performers from this weekends ACCC Juco Jam Live Period in Hanceville Alabama:

Trey Knight - Wallace State..."

Knight is out of Moreau Catholic High and Tacoma CC.

........................................