Western Washington University’s men’s basketball team is facing unprecedented challenges this year, mostly due to the transfer portal.
The 2024–25 recruiting class fills several holes left by seven players either graduating or transferring to another school. Although the roster has had a massive turnover, the Vikings have set high goals for the season after adding 10 new recruits and transfers in late June.
Since the portal started in 2018, the Vikings have returned at least eight players. This season, they only bring back six players from the 2023–24 squad.
Western head coach Tony Dominguez said in a June news release that the landscape of college basketball has changed drastically with the emergence of the transfer portal and all it encompasses.
“We took a great deal of time to put together of group of young men that we believe will be a great representation of our basketball program for the upcoming season,” he stated.
The 10 new players competed alongside the rest of the team in front of a crowd for the first time at the annual Blue-White scrimmage game Oct. 20.
“Since the first week I got here, our chemistry is great and we bond super well,” junior guard Garrett Levesque said. “It is an underrated aspect of the team.”
Levesque is one of four transfers and six guards joining the Vikings this season. He is the Vikings’ only Division-I transfer, coming from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he appeared in 12 games while tallying six points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal.
He decided to transfer to Western because he bonded with the coaches during the visit. Levesque believes his experience at a higher level can help the Vikings by pushing the pace and adding defense.
Dajon “Money” Lott is another transfer and one of four forwards joining Western. From Elk Grove, California, Lott is transferring from Sacramento City College because he said WWU felt like a family.
“Compared to the other schools calling me, it felt like they wanted me to be a part of something more than basketball and hopefully win a national title,” Lott said.
At Sacramento City College, Lott led the Panthers to a 26-4 record and runners-up in the Nor-Cal region of the California Community College Athletic Association. He was also the 2023–24 SCC Athlete of the Year and an all-state selection after posting 21 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.
“I am like a stretch four that can bring a scoring ability,” Lott said. “I can go to the rim, shoot a 3-point shot and shoot midrange. Since middle school, I have taken pride in my defense. I can block shots and get rebounds on both ends and guard any position.”
The other two transfers include 6-foot-4 guard Mo Niang and 6-foot-7 forward Bennett Olujic. Niang transferred from Emporia State after taking a medical redshirt last season. Before that, Niang averaged 14.7 points and 5.1 rebounds at Three Rivers Community College.
Olujic tallied 39 points, 26 rebounds, 12 assists, five blocks and two steals in 19 games for Southeastern Community College.
Six freshmen joining program
Trevor White is one of six freshmen joining the program. The 6-foot-7 forward is a highly anticipated prospect from Tabor Academy in Attleboro, Massachusetts. White committed to Western because of Dominguez’s character and passion.
White was a top-50 recruit in Massachusetts after averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal per game his senior season. He was also selected as a first-team all-conference player.
White showcased his skills in the scrimmage, scoring eight points, grabbing four rebounds and getting two blocks in 21 minutes of action.
“We have different guys who bring different things to the table,” White said. “Each game can be different for me, whether that is a leadership role or bringing my teammates up or getting some rebounds.”
The five other freshmen include Anthony Canales, Jaxon Dubiel, Drew Jensen, Aidan Rice and Liam Slattum.
“We added a blend of high school, junior college and talented transfer players from all over the country,” Dominguez said in the release. “We wanted to blend youth with experience and create an atmosphere that embraces tough and focused energy.”
Canales is a 6-foot-4 dynamic guard from Lynden High School. As a Lion, Canales won three consecutive 2A state titles and averaged 23.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Dubiel is a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Mountlake Terrace. Dubiel is the all-time leading scorer in Mountlake Terrace High School history and averaged 21.3 points per game.
Drew Jensen is a 6-foot-2 guard from Bothell, King County. The North Creek High School graduate averaged 20.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Aidan Rice is a 6-foot-2 guard reigning from Beaverton, Oregon. Rice averaged 20.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists at Beaverton High School.
Liam Slattum is a 6-foot-9 forward, the tallest member of the 2024 recruiting class. He led Woodburn High School to a third-place finish in the Oregon 5A state tournament and a 24-6 record, the highest mark in school history.
“This program holds a weight over your shoulder because they have been national champions,” Levesque said. “We want to bring back the national championship and to grow as a team since we are a young core that can set us up in the long run.”
The men’s basketball team opens its season at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at Carver Gymnasium against Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Vikings then return to the court Saturday, Nov. 9 against Cal Poly Humboldt to finish the 2024 West Region Crossover.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
