Team Spotlight: Oakland Soldiers (2026)

When you think of the Bay Area and grassroots basketball one of the first names that comes to mind is The Oakland Soldiers. With an alumni base with the likes of Eddie House, Kendrick Perkins, and Mark Madsen just to name a few. Lebron James even suited up for the Soldiers back in the day.

Meet The Team

5’9 Isiah Davis

5’10 Josiah Andrews

6’1 Raymond Whitley

6’7 Max VanLaningham

6’5 Tommy Tofi

6’6 Tyler Bright

5’10 Rashod Cotton

5’11 Rodney Westmoreland

6’2 Mana’oma Siale Tito

6’0 Conner Bow

6’3 Nathan Hibbert

Coaches: HC Jules Millstead, AC Deshawn Freeman, AC John Tofi

Schedule

Made Hoops Circuit (December – March)

Spring/Summer (TBD)

Talent & Balance

This is one of the most talented teams in recent years for the Oakland Soldiers and that’s saying something. All ten players on the roster are talented which gives them a balanced attack. This group has an opportunity to be special. Max VanLaningham is one of the best players in the country as he is in the Top 30.

Keys to Success

With a well-balanced team on both ends of the floor, these are the three things that this team needs to do to be successful.

Playing Together

Playing for Each Other

Playing to Win

The Program

Two players that stood out have been Max VanLaningham a player we have spotlighted before that has major potential asa player that can continue to develop as a big. Keep an eye on Rashod Cotton who is smooth with his game. He slithers through the paint with multiple finishes at the rim, impressed with his ability to really play at both ends of the floor. The Oakland Soldiers are littered with players that can go.

Basketball in Northern California has some elite talent the President of the Soldiers Mark Olivia has put together great staffs that have brought in great teams together. Although this group does not have any offers as of yet, they’re still young but stay tuned.