Men's Basketball Moving On
Former OJC Basketball Player Signs Pro Contract in Japan
Former Otero Junior College point guard, Yuki Yamaguchi, has signed a contract to play professionally in the Japan Basketball League with the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix. The Phoenix enter the 2011-2012 season having won back-to-back league titles, posting a 40-6 record a year ago. The league in Japan consists of 16 teams divided into an eastern and western conference. Rosters are limited to 15 players playing a 52-game schedule beginning on October 15.
Yamaguchi played for the Rattlers from 2007-09 where he led Region IX in assists both season. He currently holds the record at Otero with the highest free throw percentage for a season (89.5%). Yamaguchi averaged 5.4 assist per game and only 1.8 turnovers per game in his career at Otero, which is a 3 to 1 ratio.
After playing at Otero, Yamaguchi went on to play for Pfeiffer University in North Carolina where he competed in the Carolina’s Conference and played non-conference games against North Carolina State and Duke.
Houston Reed, OJC head basketball coach, said that he is very proud of Yamaguchi and the success he has earned since leaving Otero. Reed said that most Rattler fans will remembered Yamaguchi for his full-court defensive pressure, blazing speed, taking of charges and making on the point passes. “Mostly though” said Reed, “he was appreciated and loved for how hard he played and the quality of human he was as a Rattler.”
Reed said that he considers Yamaguchi to be one of those once-in-a-coaching-career type of player.
“I have never seen a player with his work ethic, team attitude, ability and toughness all rolled into one player. He spent more time in the gym polishing his game, increasing his conditioning, and watching film than any player I have been around. Mostly, I loved coaching him for the size of the heart in his chest, and the respect he has for his teammates and the game. He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. I am very excited for him and his family. I know this has been his goal for many years,” said Reed.
Yamaguchi said that he was grateful for the opportunity Coach Reed gave him while he was a player at Otero.
“He gave me the chance to play basketball in the United States. I am blessed to have learned under his guidance. I’m excited to be playing with the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix and thank them for giving me a chance to play at the professional level. I want to get better and know that I still have a lot to learn from their coaches and players. This will be my rookie year in the pros and I will do my best,” he said.
Yuki Yamaguchi graduated from Otero Junior College with a 3.6 grade point average and received his bachelor’s degree from Pfeiffer University in International Business.
2011 Graduates Moving On
All sophomores from the 2010-11 men’s basketball team will be moving onto to finish their education and play at a four-year institution next season. “We are proud that our sophomores and a few red-shirt freshmen from last year will have the opportunity to continue their education and compete athletically next year. They have worked to meet the academic requirements to enroll in four-year schools, and will have the opportunity to continue playing basketball. It’s a testimate to Otero and the type of people we have at our institution,” head coach Houston Reed commented.
Josh Pleasant from Aurora, CO will move on to Newman University next season on a full athletic scholarship. Newman is located in Wichita, KS and competes in the competitive Heartland Conference. Josh led the Rattlers in rebounding last season.
Justin Clark from Denver, CO will move on to Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS on nearly a full scholarship. He was the starting point guard for the Rattlers as a freshmen, but saw limited action as a sophomore after a severe knee injury. He led the Rattlers in assists in the 2009-10 season.
Antonio Higgins from Dallas, TX will move onto Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS on a full athletic scholarship. Antonio is the first in his family to graduate from college (Otero AA), and will be the first to attend a four year school. Antonio started many games both as a freshmen and sophomore and was top three in rebounding both years.
Jamaal West from Phoenix, AZ will move onto Columbia College in Columbia, MO on a full athletic scholarship. Jamaal received a lot of division one interest but didn’t meet some eligibility requirements for the division one level. He will have a chance to impact at Columbia that has a great winning tradition.
George Berling prepped at Gateway High School in Aurora, CO but is originally from Denmark will move onto Western State College in Gunnison on an academic and athletic scholarship. George was recognized as an academic all-region player at Otero.
Trevor Lyons from Boulder, CO will move onto Ottawa College in Kansas on an academic and athletic scholarship. Trevor was recognized as an academic all-region player at Otero.
2010 Graduates Moving On
| Cody Derner |
Johnson-Wales University |
| Cody Lara |
Concordia University |
| Matt Peeler |
Evansville University |
| Joe Prophet |
Southwest Baptist University |
| Johnie Sanders |
Northwestern State University |
| Martin Schubert |
Aurora University |
| Sean Stokes |
Missouri Valley College |
| Seth Thompson |
Southwest College |
2009 Graduates Moving On
| Dominic Moore |
University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff |
| Daniel Pierre |
Central Methodist College |
| Daniel Steffensen |
Fort Lewis College |
| Joey Stukes |
Western State College |
| Geoffrey Todd |
Johnson & Wales University |
| Jordan White |
Park University |
| Yuki Yamaguchi |
Pfeiffer University |
2008 Graduates Moving On
| Cole Smith |
University of Colorado -
Colorado Springs |
| Alex Snyder |
University of Colorado -
Colorado Springs |
| Mario Caetano |
Eastern New Mexico University |
2007 Graduates Moving On
| CJ Littlejohn |
Bethany College |
| Tomaul Hawkins |
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs |
| Ryan Goodenberger |
Johnson & Wales |
| Andrew Baker |
Johnson & Wales |
| MJ Crespin |
Johnson & Wales |
| Austin Theis |
Johnson & Wales |
| Eric Hill |
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs |
| Isiah Green |
Bethany College |
| Taylor Alvey |
Chaminade University |
2006 Graduates Moving On
| Josh Anfang |
Western State College |
| Matt Pennetti |
Western State College |
| Nic Fuller |
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs |
| Steve Mitchell |
University of Alaska Anchorage |
| Cameron Burney |
University of Alaska Anchorage |
| Parfait Nayigihugu |
Black Hills State University |
| Brian Sewald |
Colorado State University � Pueblo |
| Donovan Shultz |
Montana State University |
| Mario Mackey |
University of Idaho |
| Thomas Sanders |
Gardner �Webb University |
2005 Graduates Moving On
| Curtis Carr |
Northern State University |
| Travis Carr |
Eastern New Mexico University |
| Tim Clark |
Northwood University |
| Tae Jackson |
Lincoln University |
| Darnell Kirkwood |
Lynn University |
| Chad Stapleton |
Northwood University |
| Jon Vails |
University of Northern Colorado |
2004 Graduates Moving On
| Matt Austin |
Pfeiffer University |
| bsp;Corey Campbell |
Chaminade University |
| Larry Williams |
Southern Utah University |
| Andy Preiss |
University of Sioux Falls |
| Levi Kaess |
University of Regis |
| Maurice Henson |
Fort Hays State University |
| Keith Flores |
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs |
| Kevin Leiss |
Metro State University |
| Bleu Ellis |
Southwestern Assemblies of God University |
| Nate Yoder |
Fresno Pacific University |
2003 Graduates Moving On
| Nick Ball |
Colorado State University |
| Anthony Earl |
CU – Springs |
| Devin Gonzales |
Black Hills State University |
| Scott Ferguson |
Black Hills State University |
| Erik Reiners |
Western State College |
| Dusty Heck |
Adams State College |
| Ji Brumley |
Johnson & Wales University |
2002 Graduates Moving On
| Kale Kovalski |
Univ. of California - San Luis Obispo |
| Daniel Rose |
Liberty University |
| Scott Stevens |
University of Alaska - Anchorage |
| Bob Austin |
University of Alaska - Anchorage |
| Von Perkins |
Northwest Missouri St. University |
| Justin Vangreafschepe |
South Dakota Tech. |
| J.T. Everett |
Wayland Baptist University |
| Brandon Jones |
Tusculum College |
| Brian Shaw |
Black Hills State University |
| Will McConnell |
Colorado College |
| Tim Jones |
Bemidji State University |
2001 Graduates Moving On
| Keith Lewis |
Western State College |
| Javin Baker |
Western State College |
| Matt Quinn |
New Mexico Highlands |
| Anthony Hutchinson |
Rocky Mountain College |
| Justin Becker |
College of Notre Dame |
| Demel Tarver |
Regis University |
| Jim Pecil |
Univ. of Colorado - Colorado Springs |
2000 Graduates Moving On
| Tommie Johnson |
UC – Colorado Springs |
| Curt Isenbart |
Colorado State University |
| Garwin Patters |
University of Toledo |
| Albert Powell |
Chaminade Hawaii University |
| Jared Ramirez |
Univ. of Northern Colorado |
| Houston Reed |
Northern State University |
| Michael Sykes |
Western State University |
1999 Graduates Moving On
| Greg Favors |
Armstrong State College |
| Taylor Wagner |
Univ. of Alaska Anchorage |
| Aric Hanisch |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
| Dexter Webb |
Tennessee Martin University |
1998 Graduates Moving On
| Jamal Clements |
Ferris State University |
| Jerome Hilliard |
West Palm Beach Atlantic Univ. |
| Shannon Martin |
Virginia Commonwealth Univ. |
| Cord Wilburn |
Eastern New Mexico State Univ. |
1997 Graduates Moving On
| Greg Brown |
Hampton University |
| Arias Davis |
University of Illinois |
| Ryan Frost |
Pfieffer College |
| Todd Haberman |
CU – Springs |
| Ramont Hawkins |
Hampton University |
| Kenyo Hunter |
Hampton University |
| Eric Joshua |
University of California Irvine |
| Marcel Thomas |
Florida State University |
| Nibra White |
Jacksonville State University |
1996 Graduates Moving On
| Kevin Betts |
San Diego State University |
| Charles Brady |
Utah State University |
| Kenyatta Lewis |
Denver University |
| Quincy Nuckles |
Long Beach State University |
| Ricky Poole |
University of Alabama |
1995 Graduates Moving On
| Chad Antoine |
Northwestern Oklahoma State |
| Marcus Covington |
Southern Utah University |
| Jon Gaines |
Southern Utah University |
| Chris Ganz |
American University |
| Steve Griffin |
University of Toledo |
| Gary Nottingham |
Texas A & M |
| Lamar Richardson |
Arizona State University |
| Marvin Thomas |
University of Idaho |
| Eric Thurston |
Oakland University |
| Avron Wiggins |
Cameron University |
1994 Graduates Moving On
| Tyrone Brown |
Xavier University |
| Ivan Chappell |
Virginia Commonwealth Univ. |
| Theron Curry |
Tennessee Tech University |
| Shawn Dirden |
University of Idaho |
| Dariel Lamar |
Northwestern Oklahoma State |
| Tyrone Lenox |
Oklahoma Panhandle State |
| Jason Pittman |
Oral Roberts University |
| Chauncey Trawick |
Brewton Parker University |
| Dalian Wilson |
Colorado Christian University |
1993 Graduates Moving On
| Anthony Cooper |
Kentucky State University |
| Dennis Shepherd |
Colorado Christian University |
| Fred Walker |
Northwestern Oklahoma State |
1992 Graduates Moving On
| Ramon Brown |
Western Carolina University |
| James Johnson |
Univ. of Southern Colorado |
| Mike Smith |
Oklahoma Panhandle State |
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