EUGENE, Ore. – First-Year Head Coach Eddie Alexander has announced his recent signees who will join the Beacon Men’s Basketball team this fall.
Joining the Beacons will be two true freshmen, along with eight transfers. “We have added a lot of great pieces to go along with an excellent returning core,” said Alexander. “We set out to find great young men of integrity, work ethic, and ability to fit in with our culture and I believe what we have is the making of a team with tremendous potential.”
Freshman Class:
Dyshawn Hobson, Point Guard (Corvallis, Ore./Corvallis HS)
Hobson, a former McDonald’s High School All-American nominee at Corvallis High, earned First-Team All-Mid-Willamette Conference honors as a senior, leading the Spartans in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Coach Alexander said, “DyShawn is an excellent point guard with a very bright future. He has an excellent ability to set up his teammates and is a knock-down shooter. He brings depth and is expected to mature into an excellent floor general and leader during his career as a Beacon.”
Trey Magnuson, Forward (Creswell, Ore./Creswell HS)
Magunson prepped at Creswell High where he was a Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year and three-time First-Team All-League selection. "Trey may be undersized at his wing position but he makes up for it with athleticism, strength, and toughness," said Alexander. "He refuses to be out-worked and will do whatever it takes for his team to win. Trey in attack-mode can be an unstoppable force to his opponent."
Transfers:
Riley Anderson, Forward (Lake Oswego, Ore./Portland Bible College)
Anderson transfers from Portland Bible College where he led the Wildcats to a PCAC-West Championship as a freshman. The 6’7” Forward averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Coach Alexander said, “Riley brings some much needed size and strength to the paint. He has a great mid-range game and the ability to step out and hit the three. With a strong work ethic, awesome attitude, and excellent academics, Riley is a perfect fit for the Beacons.”
Shawn Carson, Forward (Portland, Ore./Clackamas CC)
Carson comes to NCU after a successful career at Clackamas CC where he led the Cougars to the post-season, averaging 8.0 points per game. “Shawn is an excellent rebounder with a huge wing span and will make an immediate impact on our team,” Said Alexander. “He is a lock down defender with the ability to guard almost any player on the floor.
Malik Corey, Point Guard (Ontario, Calif./Diamond Ranch HS)
Corey will have four years of eligibility as a transfer from Citrus College in Glendora, Calif. Coach Alexander said, “Malik adds much needed depth and competition at the point guard spot. His mental focus, passion and leadership will help him challenge for playing time and his grit and toughness will ensure it.”
Logan Davis, Guard (Eugene, Ore./Cuesta College)
Davis will return to the court after a brief layoff, having last seen action in 2015 as a freshman at Cuesta College in California. He attended Oregon State University last season where he worked as a practice player with the Beaver women’s basketball program. Davis is also an eight-year veteran of Coach Alexander’s Dribble Drive basketball program and understands the high expectations and demand for excellence. “Logan is a mature leader with off-the-charts work ethic,” said Alexander. “He beats his opponents with hustle, toughness, and a huge basketball IQ.”
Jay Plunkett, Forward (Rathdrum, Idaho/North Idaho College)
With previous action at North Idaho College, Plunkett is expected to bring depth at the Small and Power Forward positions in 2018-19. Coach Alexander said, “Jay has one of the best motors of our incoming recruits. He has a knock-down jumper to go along with his ability to rebound and defend.”
Logan Sand, Guard (Baker City, Ore./Eastern Oregon University)
After red-shirting at EOU as a freshman, Sand heads to Eugene where his father, Mat Sand put together a Hall-of-Fame career for the NCC Crusaders from 1988-1991. “Logan has exceptional athleticism and the potential to provide Sportscenter Top-10 level dunks,” said Alexander. “He will be an excellent addition to our Wing position with the ability to shut down any opponent.”
Zach Sly, Forward (Beaverton, Ore./Clark CC)
Sly comes in after playing a handful of games at Clark Community College before a season-ending injury. He is a pure shooter with the ability to light up the scoreboard on occasion. Coach Alexander said, “Zach will be a floor stretcher and we expect him to grow into a shooter reminiscent of recent graduate Jack Hackman. The smooth, quick release on his jumper will be a nightmare for opponents to defend.”
Ernest Ugoagu, Guard (Los Angeles, Calif./Diamond Ranch HS)
Ugoagu has a unique background, having spent time as a practice player with the Oregon Ducks during their Final-Four run in 2017. After taking a year off, he returns ready to do some damage in the Cascade Conference. “Ernest will become unstoppable in getting to the rim with his quickness and strength,” said Alexander. “He has a work ethic that every coach dreams of in their players. Unique challenges in his life have created a desire to excel and out-work his opponents and teammates to be his personal best.”
With just six returning players being joined by the ten fresh faces, the Beacons will have a challenge on their hands to assimilate in year one, but Alexander is confident that this group will meld quickly. “We will have to work harder than anyone in terms of chemistry,” he said, “but we are excited for the challenge. Our new class brings athleticism, excellent scoring ability, high levels of basketball IQ, and a tremendous work ethic, all the ingredients necessary to become a tremendous team on the court.”