Grassroots Update: Rose City Basketball 17U
Rose City Basketball has largely flown underneath the radar the past few years on the AAU scene but is starting to make some noise locally. Typically filled with Portland-area talent, the team has stayed competitive with opponents this spring and summer. Co-founder Aaron Bronikowski recently caught us up on the top 17U players in the program and what kind of college interest they are receiving.
Rose City Basketball has fielded two 17U teams this spring/summer – the Red and Navy squads. Here’s a breakdown on the top players from both:
Taylor Pomeroy (2019 Franklin HS/Red) – Pomeroy is a 6-foot-2 scoring combo guard who largely flew underneath the radar at Franklin because the team didn’t win many games. But the rising senior can score at all three levels and recently put together some big scoring games for Rose City Basketball at the Double Pump Summer Tip-Off. Bronikowski notes that Concordia has shown some interest as well as a number of other D-II and D-III schools.
Will Reese (2019 Sunset HS/Red) – At 6-foot-6, Reese is the Red squad’s tallest member and thus has served as the big man down low. He’s been rebounding well and has been very active in the pick-and-roll, hitting open mid-range jump shots. Also a good student, Reese is getting the majority of his college interest at the D-III level.
Mason Stewart-Carothers (2019 Beaverton HS/Red) – Stewart-Carothers, a 5-foot-11 combo guard, may be the team’s most consistent player this AAU campaign. He has shot the ball well while taking good care of the rock. He is largely receiving D-III/NAIA interest.
Kobe Newton (2019 Westview HS/Red) – Newton is one of the program’s most experienced players and has been playing at combo guard for Rose City Basketball. He has shown the capability to score in bunches and has done well getting to the basket. He has also shown some good passing ability.
Cobi Wilson (2019 Aloha HS/Navy) – Wilson is a long, active two-guard who has served as a lockdown defender for the Navy team. Offensively he’s been able to create his shot by getting to the basket well and Bronikowski considers him a sleeper.
Solomon Campbell (2019 Parkrose HS/Navy) – Speaking of sleepers, Campbell may be the biggest one in the program. Originally from Ohio, he’s 6-foot-10 and has been a rim protector for the team. He’s thin, very raw, and still developing but has potential and a decent jumper out to 15 feet. His father Alonzo Sr, played at Oregon State, and older brother Alonzo Jr. recently signed to play at Alcorn State.