KIRKLAND, Wash.  – Northwest University men’s basketball coach, John Van Dyke, announced the signing of two student athletes who will play for the Eagles in the 2013-14 season. Thomas Jordan (Pasadena. Calif.) of Fresno City College and Tomas Ogbasslasie (Seattle, Wash.) of Yakima Valley Community College have signed letters of intent to attend and play basketball at Northwest U. in the fall.

Jordan, a 6-1 point guard, started every contest in his two year career at Fresno City College where his team compiled a 57-10 record and won back-to-back Central Valley Conference championships. FCC was undefeated in league play for two straight seasons putting together a  24-0 combined record. Jordan averaged 8.1 points per game, shot 43% from the 3 point line, while also averaging 3.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds per contest for the Rams and earned first team, all-CVC honors in 2012-13. He was also First Team All-Freshman Team in 2012. 

"Tommy was vital to our success over the past two seasons at Fresno City because he does so many little things that don't show up in the stat sheet,” stated FCC assistant coach, Lucas Gabriel. “He is a big time winner and he always seems to make big shots at big moments. I cannot say enough about him as a young man or as a basketball player!"

Said NU’s Coach Van Dyke about Jordan, “I am excited that Tommy has chosen Northwest to finish his academic and basketball career. Tommy is a tough competitor and a winner. He will be a lot of fun for me to coach. Having played with a 9 to 1 assist to turnover ratio this past year, I can’t wait to see how that translates into the Cascade Conference.”

Tomas Ogbasslasie, a 6-6 forward,  averaged 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in the 2012-13 season for the Yaks, and was named Defensive Player of the Year for the NWAACC's East Region. Tomas was named first team All-Metro League in his senior year at Seattle’s Chief Sealth High School.

"Throughout his YVCC career, Tomas continually added layers to his game and became a better all-around offensive player and an outstanding defensive player," said Ray Funk, head coach at Yakima Valley CC.  "Most importantly, he was always an amazing teammate."

“Tomas is a great fit for our basketball program,” commented Van Dyke of Northwest U. “He is a great human being and will have a fantastic couple of years with us. Tomas will bring the ability to guard multiple positions as well as get to the basket against pressure. He’s following another YVCC grad, Ryan Dornik (NU 2013), who proved to be an outstanding player for us. Having added Dak (Shagren of Lynden HS), Tomas and Tommy, I feel the pieces are in place to be competitive in the always tough Cascade Conference.”