Noah Thomas to Aid Chabot Cause

Noah Thomas likely feels he is residing in a dream, and he certainly has no desire to awaken. Coming off a heralded football and basketball tenure at Pleasant Valley High in Chico, he chose to head to Oregon Tech, an NAIA school, on a 22-23 hoops scholarship. As a freshman, Thomas played in 24 of 29 games, at 10 minutes a contest, scoring 4.4 points an outing while shooting 44%, 36% and 68% respectively.

Not satisfied with his role at OT—"I didn't have the season I expected"—Thomas decided to transfer in order "to find a better fit." He recalled being recruited earlier by Chabot College Coach Keenan McMiller. The two soon met up and becoming a Gladiator was next in line for Thomas.

After performing at the point in the mid-July All American JUCO Showcase in Atlanta, including playing in the Top 20 All Star game, Thomas' recruitment by four-year colleges and universities took off exponentially. As Jordan Davidsen and Cody Hopkins wrote, "Dual sport HS athlete 6’3 Noah Thomas from Chabot College raised plenty of eyebrows with his shooting ability, but as the weekend went on also displayed the vision and court awareness to also play on the ball. The transfer from Oregon Tech competed as a relatively unknown in the event and made sure that his name was circulating by Sunday’s end." Regarding his four-year-level recruiting, Thomas offered, "I'm pretty open and with the dreams of playing at the highest level."

"Coach McMiller told me early on about the showcase but I didn't know too much about it," Thomas recalled. He sees himself as "a combo guard," someone who can switch off from the point if need be and "a leader but more by example."

What has he been working on since returning from Oregon? "Developing a consistent shot -- I've been over at Butte College (in Chico). But I head to Chabot in about a week." The move will finally provide the opportunity to get to know all of his new teammates although he has met a few who also participated in the All American JUCO Showcase and became acquainted with others at various open gyms. "I like the guys we have and we're hoping to make a little run."

Thomas' parents will enjoy the closer proximity of their son and now be able to make it to most home games plus maybe a few away contests.

He is majoring in business management with a strong interest in fashion and clothing brands.

For now, he'll put his own brand on Chabot's opponents this coming season.

Chabot's David Ogunleye Earns Ride to South Florida

David Ogunleye is young in age yet already wise in his decision-making. He knows what he wants and the values he embraces lead to inserting himself into positive opportunities. Two years ago after completing high school, he made the choice to leave his hometown of Houston and come west to play for Chabot College Coach Keenan McMiller. Now he is moving on to the Tampa area to play for University of South Florida Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, the brother of former Cal Bear great and 13-year NBA veteran Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

At 6-foot-9 and 225 pounds, Ogunleye started every game for the Gladiators this season and averaged 8.6 points (shooting 62%), 6.5 rebounds (196 total, 78 offensive) and 1.6 blocked shots in just under 24 minutes a game as Chabot finished 21-9 overall, 13-1 in the Coast-North Conference.

Going Up Against the National Champion

So what sold him on South Florida, a member of the American Athletic Conference alongside national champion Connecticut, Southern Methodist, Cincinnati, Temple and others?

"It was the same factors offered by (Chabot Coach) Keenan McMiller -- a culture based on building character, not just as basketball players but also as young men, plus the development of individuals into a cohesive team."

Of Ogunleye, McMiller said, "I am very humbled and appreciative of David and his family for taking a chance and in trusting us here at Chabot College. David arrived at Chabot at 260 pounds and is now at 225. Since Day One, David has always been coachable and now has developed a consistent quality work ethic by living in the weight room and developing his skills on the court.

David completed his academic load here at Chabot in two years with a 3.3 grade point average and  a Liberal Arts A.A. Degree. During the recruiting process, David was courted by over 30 different four-year universities and colleges. As far as Division 1 programs on his list  David was recruited by Montana State, CSU Bakersfield, Lamar, Jacksonville State, Tulsa, Fairfield, Bryant, Idaho, Bethune Cookman and Grambling State.

Coach Amir is getting a great young man with tremendous potential and a humble, great attitude. David is hungry to be the best he can be at South Florida University. The Chabot College community will be supporting and rooting for David!"

Ogunleye officially visited South Florida in the beginning of June. He prepared by talking with former players. One question he posed to all was asking who Abdur-Rahim is as a person. "I learned he is building a family here and that he is a great coach." During a breakfast get-together, Ogunleye and Abdur-Rahim became so involved in their mutual conversation that the actual offering of Ogunleye needed to be made fully tangible. "I thought it had been implied but not spoken," Ogunleye said, "so Coach made it clear by telling me, 'we would like you here.'"

In the confluence of thanking those for their help along the way and naming his hoops influencers, he offered, "My parents are #1 because my happiness has always been their top priority and I never felt any pressure." Plus, "my younger brother Job" (who will play at Chabot this season). "In high school, I wasn't sure I wanted to keep playing but meeting Keenan and his offering the chance to move to a new state to play college ball got my interest back. Keenan was always willing to help out with anything. I enjoy the game on a different level and jumped at the chance to be part of a new basketball family."

What's fascinating in Ogunleye's case is he didn't grow up flattered by offers, calls, texts and the like. "I didn't realize I could land a scholarship until my senior year. My high school coach didn't push it."

He added, "I'll play as a five but I'm not a typical or traditional five. I'm keyed in on improving as a player by enhancing my shooting and ballhandling skills."

Regarding leadership, "I lead by example with my actions. Leadership is a matter of getting to know one another, trusting each other and developing a bond."

 Ogunleye will major in business and finance.

Anyone who makes good choices in life is likely to be successful in life. The odds favor it. So keep checking on David Ogunleye.

The Chabot Gladiators Basketball Win Streak

Minus a trio of players who lost their eligibility during the holidays due to academics, an up-and-down 2022-23 Chabot College basketball team and Coach Keenan McMiller faced the second half of its schedule with a reduction in firepower and depth. Yet the remaining squad then blazed a 14-game winning streak starting on January 9 that markedly turned their season around.  

Label the 2022-23 Chabot season initially hot due to a 4-0 season start, then inconsistent and cold because of a three-game losing streak, including a pair of two point losses. A win, another loss, then a victory came next. However, a trio of losses followed. Granted, many of these were close contests. Even in the January 6 Chabot - CCSF contest, a 101-81 loss to the Rams, McMiller found positives, offering "we played four guys recovering from the flu and another suffering from hives and we still won the second half by three points."

Close Contests

The tight games for the Gladiators covered the spectrum:

• November included a 58-55 loss to Merritt plus a 92-90 loss to host MPC,
  
• December brought a 92-90 defeat at the hands of host San Jose City College and a 79-76 loss to Cuesta College in the Hancock tournament,
• February being notable for an 89-87 victory over visiting #1 San Francisco City College.
  

The Gladiators concluded the regular season 20-8 overall, with a 13-1 Coast North Conference record.  Their 14 game winning streak is rife with a bevy of  high-scoring games: 82 points, 75 points, 88, 98, 104, 93, 89, 94, 90, 103 and 107 as Chabot closed out the regular season with an 84.1 points per game scoring average. Coach Keenan McMiller earned the honor of co-coach of the year in the Coast-North Conference as the first African American coach to do so. The Gladiators shared a league championship with CCSF.

In the playoffs, the Gladiators first faced Los Medanos College on February 25 and Jaiden Rivera's 33 points carried Chabot to an 89-82 home court victory. McMiller's crew earned the right to face host San Jose City College on March 4 but fell 82-68 on Saturday to the Jaguars in the NorCal Regional Final with Zach Broadous' 18 points leading the points production while Diggy Winbush and Jaiden Rivera contributed 15 points apiece.

The Prominent Gladiator Turnaround Factors

A team-bonding exercise promoted growth and maturity. "Utilizing the bonding exercise began when I was still at Merritt and took place this year mid-season on Avila Beach" (near San Luis Obispo) as the Gladiators were also preparing for participation in a basketball tournament. "It's a check-in to see how the guys are doing. Next season, we are going to do one early in the season and also keep the mid-season one. I call the biggest thing coming out of our bonding work as a come-to-Jesus moment. They learned so much about each other. What works for the team and you is your goals being their goals," McMiller explained.

Also while in San Luis Obispo, McMiller set up a dinner with his assistant coaches to have a "where are we at?" dinner. The question surrounding "why can't we win league?" was addressed by all. The January 20-point loss to CCSF hung heavy in the air but McMiller witnessed the aforementioned positives: four of his players taking the court still in the throes of the flu and one suffering an in-game hives attack which stopped play for 20 minutes or so. Also, that Chabot won the second half of the game by three points. "Our players weren't mentally tough enough and mature yet."

Call his communication processes promoting greater trust and chemistry.

McMiller also utilizes a post-season questionaire, a process allowing his student-athletes to provide formal annual feedback on what worked and what needs improvement. The relationships he built with his talents over the season shined through in the honest and direct responses as well as the thanks offered. "We do this every year."

As for next season, McMiller sees more success on the horizon. He loses five sophomores (6-foot-11 Terrence Craft earning a full scholarship to Bellevue University) but recruiting is going well due to a number of early commits.

The top Gladiators (regular season)

• 6-foot-1 sophomore Diggy Winbush, 13.3 ppg, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals, Coast-North Conference co-MVP/All State honoree (recruiting interest from Big West Conference and Southland Conference universities)
• 6-4 freshman and team captain Zach Broadous, 13.3 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, First Team Coast-North Conference honoree, member of All Freshman team
• 6-4 sophomore David Hector, 14.4 ppg (team-leading), 9.4 rebounds (team-leading), 3.5 assists, First Team Coast-North Conference honoree, member of All Defensive team, honorable mention all state (recruiting interest from D1 Southwestern Athletic Conference and Great Northwest Conference universities)
• 6-foot-3 sophomore Jaiden Rivera, 14.3 ppg, First Team Coast-North Conference honoree, member of All Defensive team (recruiting interest from D1 Southern Conference and Great American Conference universities, just returned from an official visit to Southern Nazarene University, AP top 15 ranked Division 2 program) 
• 6-foot-9 sophomore David Ogunleye enjoyed 46 blocked shots this season as an Honorable Mention Coast North Conference honoree (recruiting interest from D1 Southwestern Athletic Conference universities)