SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University men's basketball team will make its much-anticipated season debut this weekend, opening up its 2019-20 account with a battle against NCAA Division I foe Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on Saturday. Head coach Mitch Freeman recently introduced nine dynamic additions who will be joining the talented roster for the upcoming season.
"We added much needed size, experience, and competitiveness at each position with this year's recruiting class," said head coach Mitch Freeman, "especially after losing all of the size from last year's squad. Adding the depth and size will allow us to play a multitude of styles that will benefit us in the always tough and competitive Cascade Collegiate Conference."
Elijah Welch – 6'3" – Guard – Wilson, Wash./Western Washington Univ. – Tacoma, Wash.
Welch joins the Navy and Gold after playing the previous two seasons at Western Washington University. Those two years were precluded by his JC years at Lower Columbia College. In Welch's Junior season, at Western Washington, he put up gaudy numbers to the tune of 13.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg. In his prep days, he was awarded New Tribune All-Area honors at Wilson HS in Tacoma, Wash. The 2015 HS graduate is in his final year of collegiate eligibility, and will help the team greatly with his knowledge and experience in collegiate basketball.
Welch is furthering his education as a part of Corban University's MBA program.
Mauricio Smith – 6'5" – Guard – Foothill HS/Big Bend CC – Milwaukee, Wis.
Smith, a junior transfer from Big Bend CC, played two full seasons there before becoming a Warrior. He was a 2017 graduate of Foothill HS and earned 2nd team All-Region honors. He was a two-sport athlete in HS, running track as well as his time spent in the gym. Mauricio brings more valuable experience to an already talented roster.
Smith will major in Kinesiology at Corban.
Reece Van Lierop – 6'1" – Guard – Joel E. Ferris HS – Spokane, Wash.
The freshman guard joins the squad after an outstanding prep career at Joel E. Ferris HS. He earned 1st team All-League honors and was a team captain for the team. Van Lierop also played football for one year in high school.
Van Lierop plans to major in Kinesiology with plans to become a physical therapist.
Isiah Quintero – 6'9" – Center – Antelope HS/Sierra College – Sacramento, Calif.
After two standout years at Sierra College, Quintero comes to the Warriors hoping to contribute right away. He was a graduate of Antelope HS in 2017. He was a three-sport athlete in high school, playing baseball, football, and of course basketball. Quintero will be playing his junior season this year with the Warriors.
Quintero plans to major in Forensic Psychology in order to become a Criminal Psychologist.
Taylor Anderson – 5'9" – Guard – Grants Pass HS – Grants Pass, Ore.
Anderson, the incoming freshman, carries an illustrious and impressive high school career. He was not only a standout basketball player, he played golf as well and was very talented. In both his junior and senior years at Grants Pass HS, he was a 1st team All-Conference honoree for both basketball and golf. Anderson brings coveted youth to the Warrior squad.
He plans on majoring in Education and becoming a PE Teacher.
Dominique Lawrence – 6'5" – Forward – Desert Pines HS/Univ. of Mobile – North Las Vegas, Nev.
Lawrence last played collegiate basketball at the University of Mobile in the 2015-2016 season, but he graduated high school in 2010. While in high school, Lawrence played three sports, football, volleyball, and basketball. Lawrence was a 1st team- All Region volleyball player at Desert Pines HS. After graduating he took a short hiatus and then played for Chemeketa CC from 2013-2015, which led to his recruitment to the University of Mobile for the 2015-2016 season. He joins the Warriors to use his final year of collegiate eligibility in 2019-2020.
Lawrence is majoring in Kinesiology at Corban.
Jake Estep – 6'5" – Guard – Beaverton HS/Western Oregon Univ. – Portland, Ore.
Estep joins the Warriors after playing the 2018-19 season at Western Oregon University. The sophomore was an accomplished high school player, having won All-League and All-State honors twice. In his senior year he became the record holder for most points in a single game and in a single season in the Three Rivers League. He was also named the league's Player of the Year that season. Both Jake's father and uncle played basketball for Corban when it was still named Western Baptist.
Estep plans to major in Business Accounting and become a Certified Public Accountant.
Domen Omladic – 6'8" – Forward – Tennessee Tech Univ. – Žalec, Slovenia
Omladic hails from Slovenia, and has played two years of college basketball stateside at an NCAA Division 1 school, Tennessee Tech, and a junior college Richard Bland College of William & Mary. He graduated from high school in 2017. Omladic has played for many national teams in Slovenia, like the U-14, U-16, U-17, and U-19 teams that participated in the European Championships.
Omladic plans to major in Business Administration – Leadership and Management.
Jason Smarr – 6'4" – Guard – Edmonds-Woodway HS/Arizona Christian Univ. – Edmonds, Wash.
Another experienced signing for the Warriors, Smarr joins the Warriors after playing the previous two seasons at Arizona Christian University. At Shoreline CC, Smarr was named a 1st team All-NWAC North Region All-Star. Smarr graduated from Edmonds-Woodway HS in 2014 where he was a five-sport athlete, where he competed in baseball, football, tennis, track & field, and basketball. He was a 1st team All-WESCO honoree in basketball in high school.
Smarr will major in Education at Corban with the goal to become an Athletic Director or School Administrator.
It'll be trial by fire for the Warrior squad, which will face perennial NAIA Division I powerhouse Westmont College in the first official contest of the season on Monday (October 21) after its matchup with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday.
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