Wednesday Commitment Catchup (4/29)
The college commitments continue to come in for members of the Class of 2020 and other former Oregon prep standouts. Here’s a catchup of the decisions made this past week.
In NCAA Division I transfer news, Zeke Quinlan (2017 Life Christian) will be moving on to Jackson State. The former Lion averaged 3.0 points and 3.0 rebounds this past season at Montana State and will have two years of eligibility remaining for the Tigers. A 6-foot-8 forward who runs the floor and finishes at the rim, Quinlan should fit in well in the SWAC.
JSU Men’s Basketball is happy to announce the signing of @MSUBobcatsMBB transfer Zeke Quinlan as the newest addition to the Jackson State Family.
— Jackson State Athletics (@GoJSUTigers) April 28, 2020
Welcome to the family!
📖 | https://t.co/nca8YSxxR7#BleedTheeBlue x #ProtectTheeBlock pic.x.com/dRa9TfDrWW
Making a Division II decision is Cameron Benzel (2018 Oakland/Umpqua CC). A 2A First Team All-State honoree, the 6-foot-7 forward developed his game this past couple of seasons at Umpqua. The lefty can finish plays at the rim but can also step out and knock down the face-up jumper as a stretch-four type of guy. He averaged 12 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting over 59 percent from the field this past season. Benzel garnered D-II and NAIA interest but decided to stay close to home.
"It was just the comfort factor," Benzel said. "I felt better about them than the other schools. I think it’s going to be a great fit for me."
A BIG Congrats to @cameronbenzel23 signing w/ @GNACsports Western Oregon University. WOU now has 3 former UCC players on their roster. @VerbalCommitsD2 Thx Cam for all you did here! Big things 2 come 4 u! Love you! @NwacHoops @NWACSports @KSKRTheScore @nrsports @uccriverhawks pic.x.com/9xq1Q9LGgH
— Umpqua Community College Men's Basketball (@UmpquaBBall) April 23, 2020
Blake Lambert Blake Lambert 5'4" | PG Life Christian | 2020 State OR (2020 Life Christian) will play his college basketball at the D-III level after making a commitment to New England College, which is located in New Hampshire. The gutsy 5-foot-5 point guard may have lacked size but more than made up for it with tenacity and toughness. He averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 assists this past season for Life Christian and when it came to finding a school, he took the proactive approach. New England College, a squad that has won 20+ games the past three seasons, caught his interest and after connecting to head coach Charlie Mason via email, the relationship was formed and after taking a virtual visit of campus, Lambert decided to make the commitment.
"I liked that the school felt like more of a family than a school," Lambert said. "I also have made a great relationship with the coach and I like the team’s style of play. They play upbeat, shoot a lot of threes, and are a pretty guard heavy team. I have also always wanted to move so I figured go big or go home. I’m super excited to go hoop at New England College."
Excited to announce my commitment to play basketball at New England College ! @NEC_Athletics pic.x.com/i6zPBYgjnz
— blake (@blakexlambert) April 23, 2020
Tariq Harris (2018 Corvallis/Portland CC) will also be heading to D-III basketball after spending the past two seasons in the NWAC, playing at Clackamas and Portland CC. The 6-foot-5 forward is headed to D’Youville College which is located in Buffalo, New York. The former Spartan, who averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 rebounds last year at PCC, had the opportunity to go to school and play college ball with an old childhood friend and decided to head to the East Coast.
"The area is beautiful and the campus is just fantastic on another level," Harris said. "The school, coach, and the people who work there really make it feel like home so it was just the best place to go for me and my future."
https://twitter.com/killalightskinn/status/1253084543621320705?s=20
On the NWAC front, the best available big man in the state, Aidan Clark Aidan Clark 6'9" | PF South Eugene | 2020 State OR (2020 South Eugene), inked with Chemeketa. The South Eugene standout is at best running the floor and protecting the rim and the 6-foot-9 post will get a chance to continue developing his offensive game with the Storm. He averaged 9.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and just over two blocks as a First Team All-Southwest Conference selection.
"The coaching staff was a huge part of why I chose Chemeketa," Clark said. "Coach (David) Abderhalden has been a coach for many years and has proven himself. When speaking with me he pointed out he could develop me and get my game to where I can become dominant on the court."
Signing: Big man Aiden Clark of South Eugene has signed with @chemeketa_mbb.
— Prep Hoops Oregon (@PrepHoopsOR) April 26, 2020
Clark averaged 9.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots, ranking third in 6A in blocks. pic.x.com/4UeLx0e9iW
Wayne Jamison Wayne Jamison 6'1" | CG Westview | 2020 State OR (2020 Westview) signed to play at Olympic CC in Bremerton, Washington. The 6-foot-1 combo guard is a solid all-around athlete, capable of scoring as well as exceling as an on-the-ball defender. He played both guard spots for the Wildcats and averaged 13.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting over 56 percent from the field while earning First Team All-Metro League honors. Jamison also excels in sprints and the long jump and will get a chance to do that in college too.
"Coach (Kevin) Murray sounded the most interested and it felt like a good fit for me," Jamison said. "They have a good academic system and I really like the coach. I am going to run track there as well. I’m looking forward to meeting the team and seeing what they have to offer."
Excited for Wayne to take the next step in his journey. Will be a tremendous 2 sport student-athlete. Hard work and commitment paying off! #CARE https://t.co/S6MVlVRHm3 pic.x.com/5YbQM6TSHK
— Westview Basketball (@WestviewBoysBB) April 28, 2020
And finally, Gavin Knoke (2020 St Helens) signed with Walla Walla CC. The 6-foot-2 guard is a shooting specialist and knocked down almost three threes a game last year. In 2019, he nailed a season-high 11 threes in a win over Hillsboro. Overall he averaged 11.4 points and was an honorable mention All-Northwest Conference selection.
Extremely happy for Gavin Knoke who has signed with Walla Walla to continue his academic and basketball career. Walla Walla got a great player and a great kid!
— St. Helens Boys Basketball (@StHelensHoops) April 28, 2020
