Grassroots Update: Oregon Basketball Club

Known as Maeko for many years, Oregon Basketball Club has re-branded for 2018. The program is led by former Oregon State Beaver J.S. Nash and he has fellow former D-I players Shawn Malloy (New Orleans) and Donald Wilson (Portland) also on staff. OBC put together about a .500 record in the spring and is looking forward to a big summer for its rising seniors and younger players. Here’s a quick recap of the some of the team members so far this grassroots season. Bo Quinlan (2018 Southridge HS) Quinlan has been playing this spring as an unsigned senior and very well may head to prep school at Hillcrest Prep in Arizona where older brother Zeke played. He's an athletic combo guard who has shown a good stroke from the outside this spring. He led the team in scoring at over 20 ppg in the spring and Nash considers him the team's catalyst at both ends.  Already earning D-II interest, that may grow to D-I interest by the end of the summer. Abdi Dahir (2018 David Douglas) Dahir has also been playing this spring with OBC as an unsigned senior and has impressed coaches with his length and athleticism. Nash has particularly been impressed with his ability to defend on the perimeter. Currently junior colleges and small schools are keeping an eye on the lefty late bloomer. Braedin Nowlin (2019 Dayton HS) Nowlin is a quick and athletic point guard who according to Nash has performed quite well this spring, especially with his shooting. He is a bit on the small side at 5-foot-7 but is definitely one for Division III and NAIA schools to keep an eye on. Daniel Berger (2019 Century HS) Berger is an all-around wing who Nash believes was unsung his junior year due to playing on a sub-.500 team. For OBC he's been able to show off a nice perimeter shot and the ability to run the floor. He will need to add some weight to his frame for the college level but Nash believes he has a lot of upside to his game. Jazz Ross (2019 Tigard HS) Also a football player for Tigard, Ross is a physical specimen who utilizes his strength and athleticism on the basketball floor. Still a bit of a work in progress in terms of skills, he is worth keeping track of this summer. Isaac Rosenthal (2019 Beaverton HS) Rosenthal is a steady point guard who has high academics.  Nash notes that D-III programs are monitoring him this spring and summer. Alex Boyd (2019 La Salle HS) Boyd is a physical, athletic guard who can also put the ball in the basket. Trevon Richmond (2019 Jefferson HS) Richmond is a combo guard who can really push the ball up and down the floor. He played this spring for the Nike Team Northwest Swoosh squad and showed the ability to put the ball in the basket and defend. Richmond still need to add weight and muscle to his frame. After playing his junior season at Roosevelt, Richmond will be transferring to Jefferson. A couple of standouts from OBC's 16U team to keep an eye on: Blake Lambert (2020 Life Christian HS) Lambert may be of short stature (5-foot-3) but he's a firey competitor who doesn't back down from anybody. He's a very quick and tough guard who is a natural leader. Nzube Mekkam (2020 Mountainside HS) Mekkam is a developing guard who is already excelling on the defensive end with his length and athleticism. His older brother Chuka was a standout at Jesuit a few years ago. Edy Essien (2021 Century HS) Essien is one of the best shooters in the program and is still developing physically.