Top Basketball/Football Standouts
Oregon has had its share of two-sport successful athletes over the years, in particular the combination of football and basketball. That was no different last season. Blake Gobel of Banks was probably the prime example as the 4A basketball player of the year helped lead the Braves to state titles in both football and hoops, but others such as Patrick Hebert (Sheldon) and Cory Stover (Marshfield) were major contributors on the court that ended up with FBS Division I football scholarships.
Other guys that ended up choosing to play hoops in college but also made an impact on the high school football field included Collin Warmouth (Roseburg), RJ Veliz (Woodburn), and Colton Gorski (Sandy). Here’s a look at some of the top football/basketball standouts this season.
Drew Carter, Tigard
When you consider guys who are getting recruited in both football and basketball, Carter may very well be the state’s top player in that regard. The junior quarterback/shooting guard has already garnered a scholarship offer from Portland State for hoops and FBS college programs have him directly on their radar this season on the gridrion.
Jamison Guerra, Sherwood
The state’s top pure point guard from the Class of 2020 is Sherwood’s leading rusher back from last season who averaged over 10.5 yards per carry. His combination of strength and speed has been deadly on the basketball court and enhances his ability to get to the basket and finish. Guerra’s college future will be in hoops but not before he tries to help Sherwood make a deep run into the 6A playoffs.
John Miller, Tualatin
Miller is one of the top recruits in the state at linebacker and was one of the first to commit when he made a pledge to Oregon State. His explosiveness and tenacity is evident on the basketball floor as well as he was Three Rivers League Defensive Player of the Year, but he’s also an athletic marvel on the offensive end liable to throw down a hammer dunk at any given time.
London Smalley, Westview
The electric wideout for Westview could be one of the more underrated college football recruits in the state. On the basketball floor, he’ll be a returning starter for head coach Mike Wolf and is shifting over to play point guard for the Wildcats.
Malik Kelley, Roosevelt
Kelley is a walking mismatch on the basketball floor with his unique combination of size/strength and skills. A TE/DE on the gridiron, he’s already received a scholarship offer from Southern Oregon for football and could get the opportunity to play both at the small college level.
Sergio Jimenez, North Marion
Last season, the physical wing was one of the top scorers in 4A and earned Second Team All-State honors. The senior is a prolific quarterback as well and has been racking up passing yardage and touchdowns so far this season for North Marion.
Marquis Brown, Liberty
Brown was a first team 6A all-state selection last year as a defensive back where he registered highs in both tackles and interceptions. He’s also a great wide receiver and was a contributor on the hardwood with 5.5 points and 3.9 rebounds last season for Liberty.
Jaren Hunter, Barlow
Hunter is a three-sport athlete and is an all-conference honoree at quarterback for the Bruins. Not surprisingly he plays a similar role for Barlow on the basketball floor where he has been one of the team’s leaders in assists.
Max Lenzy, Tigard
The Montana State-committed defensive back/wide receiver also plays a significant role on the Tigers basketball team as a backcourt defensive specialist and secondary ball-handler and passer.
Blake Jensen, Sherwood
Jensen really emerged as a consistent threat in the post during the summer months and his college future is likely in basketball as he’s already earned a scholarship offer from OIT. But the 6-foot-6 senior is also a contributor in football as a defensive end and tight end.
Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge, Jefferson
Lamar Washington, Jefferson
Trejon Williams, Jefferson
Dondre Fair, Jefferson
Tre Anderson, Jefferson
The resurgence of Jefferson football under new head coach Don Johnson has been based on his ability to have some of the Demos boys basketball players on the roster. The success they have been having both on the field and in the recruiting world could have some of them looking at the gridiron for their college futures. One guy that seems likely to stick with hoops is Washington State commit Rawlins-Kibonge, who has been playing on the defensive line where Jefferson has been trying to utilize his size and aggressivenes.
Washington, the state’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2022 has been playing middle linebacker for the Demos football team and recently picked up a football scholarship offer from Utah State. Trejon Williams, who should compete for the starting point guard spot, has been playing multiple positions on the gridiron and has also picked up a few D-I football offers. Fair and Anderson both played varsity minutes at Grant and Parkrose in 2018-19. Fair starts at QB and Anderson at wideout on offense.