By Kyle Cape-Lindelin
As the 2009-2010 men's basketball season comes to a close with one of the most memorable seasons in school history, it's time to look to the future.
After seeing five seniors leaving The Bluff and not having any freshman recruits in last year's class, head men's basketball coach Eric Reveno is bringing in seven new recruits to join the Pilot ranks next season.
High school seniors John Bailey (Mesa, Ariz.), Reily Barker (Surrey, British Columbia), Ryan Nicholas (Spokane, Wash.), and Tanner Riley (North Bend, Wash.) all signed national letters of intent to play for UP. Kory Thieleke (Bakersfield, Calif.), Tim Douglas (Lakewood, Calif.) and junior college transfer Derrick Rodgers (Alta Loma, Calif.) all verbally declared and will sign during the spring signing period that begins on April 12.
With this large class in tow, Reveno and his coaching staff are excited about these prospects.
"We put a premium on targeting players from the 2010 recruiting class that could help maintain and build the momentum that we gained from this year. We feel these players all are capable of coming in next year and helping immediately," Reveno said in a press release.
As Portland prepares for life without star point guard T.J. Campbell, new recruit Douglas could potentially help fill the void.
With only one true point guard still on roster in junior-to-be Eric Waterford, the 5'9'' point guard Douglas posseses the necessary killer speed to make up for his short stature.
Douglas averaged 20 points and 5.6 assists per game last year for Mayfield High School while leading them to a league championship and a loss in the quarter-finals of the state playoffs to eventual state champion Eisenhower High School.
Douglas was also named Player of the Year for his Suburban league and is rated 88 out of 100 in the 2010 recruiting class by ESPN.com.
Douglas has the highest player rating that UP has signed this year. The ESPN recruit rating system takes into account skills and potential for the college level based on scouting.
Douglas has quick speed and great ball-handling ability, which makes him an ideal pass-first point-guard.
With his long arms, speed and the potential to add strength, Douglas could become a force not only on offense but defense as well.
To make up for the loss of Robin Smeulders, Reveno was able to lock up another big man from across the border in 6'10'' center Riley Barker.
Barker averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots last year for White Rock Christian Academy while leading them to a second place finish in British Columbia Provincials.
He was named MVP of the tournament and was named Defensive Player of the Year of his league as well as receiving all-district honors.
Reveno looks forward to adding a big man with Barker's skills to his system,
"Barker is a lengthy big-man with a solid low post skill set, has the ability to shoot from the perimeter and with a seven foot wing-span will become a force defensively with time and experience. With his skills, we are excited to work him into the system and see what his potential can be," Reveno said.
After picking up senior-to-be Kramer Knutson from Dobson High School three years ago, Reveno was able to sign another big-man in Bailey.
Bailey, a 6'8'' and 200 pound three year varsity player, averaged 17.5 points, seven rebounds and one blocked shot per game last year while leading Dobson to the 5A State Tournament. He was named all-state honorable mention and named to the first-team for the All-East Valley Region.
"John is a versatile scorer and rebounder with the ability to play inside or on the perimeter on both ends of the floor. We know he's well-coached and understands the game which means he's going to be a match up problem for other teams down the road," Reveno said.
As UP says goodbye to defensive specialist Ethan Niedermeyer, Thieleke could be filling his shoes sooner than Pilot fans thought. Thieleke, a 6'5'' guard, led his West High School team with 20 points per game while leading them to a 19-8 season record. Thieleke has long arms and speed which makes him dynamic on the defensive end.
On offense, he thrives on slashing to the basket and in transition. With continued work on his jumper and ball-handling abilities, Thieleke should become a very talented all-around complete player with time.
Reveno also added to his bevy of power forwards with 6'7'', 235 pound Nicholas. Nicholas led his Gonzaga Prep team to a fourth place finish last year in the 5A Washington State Playoffs while averaging 14 points per game. Nicholas helped Gonzaga Prep win the Greater Spokane League Championship while being named to all-state and all-league teams.
Nicholas posseses tremendous strength and solid foot-work in the post. But it were his defensive abilities that caught Reveno's eye.
"Ryan is a warrior," Reveno said. "Physically, he could play for us right now. He has a very high basketball I.Q. and a tremendous work ethic, toughness and passion for the game that is contagious with his teammates."
The Pilots will need another scorer to step up with the loss of Campbell and Raivio, which Reveno hopes to fill with the signing of 6'3'' shooting guard Riley. Riley was the second leading scoring in the state of Washington last year with 24 points per game while leading Mount Si High School to a second place finish in the state championship.
He was a three-time all-league honoree and was named team captain since his sophomore year.
"Tanner is a scorer in every sense of the word," Reveno said. "He will bring toughness and competitiveness to our program and is a guy who consistently makes plays to help his team win."
Always trying to find the potential Campbell's or Raivio's in the junior college circuit, Reveno also grabbed Rodgers, a 6'1'', 195 pound point guard from Citrus Community College.
Rodgers helped lead his team to a 18-2 season, starting all 20 game.
Rodgers averaged three points and three assists per game and maintained a 2-to-1 ratio in assists to turnovers.
Rodgers looks to be more of a project, but with a 6'1'' height and solid body build, he could pose potential match up problems for smaller guards in the future. Rodgers is also a true pass-first point guard and is set to still have three years of college eligibility remaining.
With seven new recruits locked up, Reveno is set for next season.
"We are very pleased with our signees. We graduated some key players this year and this class will continue to build on the foundation we have here at Portland and maintain our championship-level mindset," Reveno said.
