Prospect Spotlight: Andre Best (2020 Oregon City HS)
The 2018-19 season will be brand new for Andre Best. The strong 5-foot-10, 170-pound point guard will be at Oregon City High School for his junior season and he couldn’t be more excited. Best spent the summer and fall playing with and getting to know his new teammates, and he’s found that it’s been a perfect match for himself and his skills.
“They’ve let me in with open arms,” Best said. “Coach (Aaron) Newkirk is very defensive based and that’s something that I like. I love all the guys – a lot of blue collar kids and work really hard, that’s what I like. I love my dudes.”
Best got accustomed to his new teammates and the system at Oregon City by eschewing club AAU basketball and instead playing with his high school this summer, with tournaments in San Diego and Las Vegas. He also focused in on his individual development as a player as well.
“I felt like my game has gotten a lot better,” Best said. “Coach Newkirk has tried to get me in the weight room so when I get up for finishes I’m heavier on my body so they can’t push me. I usually go up to the gym with my mom and dad and shoot; they get my rebounds and I try to get up like 600 (shots) per session.”
One of Best’s goals is to get noticed by some college programs and he’s open to any and all interest. “I’m hoping that this is the year,” Best said. “I just want a team that wants me – a hard working point guard that loves to play defense and run the team. I just want to get that scholarship and get school paid for.”
A big junior campaign should get him on the radar and he’s looking forward to the year ahead with the Pioneers, who move back to the competitive Three Rivers League. “I think we have a lot of potential,” Best said. “We’re a bunch of blue collar kids that love to work hard. I think if we push each other in practice and play for each other, we’ll be very successful this year.”
Best currently ranks as the #43 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2020 rankings.