Player Profiles. Rick Billings 15 Senior Guard Detroit, Mich. Rogers Academy (Ohio State) OAKLAND BASKETBALL

Transcription

1 Rick Billings 15 Senior Guard Detroit, Mich. Rogers Academy (Ohio State) Rick Billings with Professor Kitty Dubin/Department of English & Department of Music, Theater and Dance : Played in 22 games with 20 starts missed the first seven games of the season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules a fixture in the starting lineup after he became eligible third on the team in scoring one of three players to average in double figures one of three players to shoot over 50 percent from the floor eighth overall in the Mid- Con in field goal percentage second on the squad in free throws and free throw attempts third on the team in steals and tied for fourth in assists 13 games in double figures finished the season in double figures in seven of the last nine led the team in scoring five times led OU with 13 points against Spring Arbor (12/ 23) in his third game season-high five steals at Missouri (12/30) 13 points and six rebounds at Valparaiso (1/2) new career-highs of 15 points and seven boards vs. Chicago State (1/7) upped his career-high again the next outing with 19 points vs. Southern Utah (1/ 9) capped off a string of three consecutive double-figure games with 19 against Western Illinois (1/28) also matched his career best with four assists vs. the Leathernecks closed out the year with back-to-back 15-point games at Chicago State (2/25) and vs. IUPUI (3/4). Prior To Oakland: Played a season and a half at Ohio State after sitting out his freshman season to concentrate on academics... averaged 3.8 points in 30 games for the Buckeyes as a sophomore in reached double figures twice... career-high 13 points against Central Michigan... canned a pair of three-point shots against Illinois... played in eight games last season for OSU before transferring to Oakland... had a season best three points and three rebounds against Portland State. High School: A 2002 graduate of Rogers Academy in Detroit, Michigan... four-year letterwinner for head coach Steve Hall Detroit Public School League Player of the Year as a senior as well as an allcity and all-state selection... three-time all-state, all-city and all-league pick... averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as a senior... team MVP as a senior and junior, helping Rogers advance to the state semi-finals both seasons... also an all-city pick as a junior... averaged 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists as a junior... MVP of his AAU team (The Family) in also lettered four times each in cross country and track. Personal: Born Ricardo Billings on July 7, 1983 in Detroit, Mich.... nickname is Rick... son of Ricardo Sr. and Georgia Billings... favorite food is pork chops... favorite non-sports hero is Jackie Chan OAKLAND BASKETBALL

2 BILLINGS GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! DNP St. Peter s! DNP NOTRE DAME COLL. DNP DUQUESNE DNP Bowling Green DNP MIAMI U. DNP SAINT LOUIS DNP Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament BILLINGS CAREER BESTS Points 19, twice, most recent at IUPUI (2/4/06) FG 9, at IUPUI (2/4/06) FGA 11, three times, most recent at IUPUI (2/4/06) 3FG 2, three times, most recent at UMKC (1/14/06) 3FGA 4, vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) FT 9, twice, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) FTA 12, at Chicago State (2/25/06) Rebounds 7, twice, most recent vs. IUPUI (3/4/06) Assists 4, four times, most recent vs. UMKC (2/11/06) Blocks 2, at Valparaiso (1/2/06) Steals 5, at Missouri (12/30/05) Minutes 36, twice, most recent vs. IUPUI (3/4/06) What has been your most memorable experience during your Oakland career? My most memorable experience during my career at Oakland was being able to experience the team going to the NCAA Tournament. - Rick Billings BILLING S CAREER STATS ( 04 & 05 AT OHIO STATE) / / / Totals 60/ OAKLAND BASKETBALL 13

3 Shawn Hopes 50 Senior Center Detroit, Mich. Cass Tech HS Shawn Hopes with Dr. John Kim/ Department of Management & Marketing : Successful return after a year off for Oakland played in every game and started all but two at center for the Golden Grizzlies set new career highs in every category third on the team in rebounding and fourth in scoring one of two players to shoot over 50 percent from the field finished among the Mid- Con leaders in rebounds (10th), field goal percentage (2nd) and blocked shots (4th) led the team in rebounding 11 times second on the team in that category led in blocked shots a team best 14 times two double-doubles led the team and was one of the Mid-Con s top shot blockers 32 blocks is fifth all-time in a single season at OU 12 games in double figures in scoring four games in double figures in rebounds started the season strong nine points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and four steals in the season opener vs. Albany (11/9) followed that up with a 19-point, 11 rebounds, three block, two steal performance against St. Peter s (11/ 10) 15 points and eight rebounds at Bowling Green (11/30) 15 points and nine boards against Spring Arbor (12/23) hit 9-of-10 shots on his way to a career-high 22 points at Oral Roberts (1/19) double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds against Centenary (1/ 21) three blocks and a career best 5-for-5 night at the free throw line in the next meeting with the Gents (2/18) closed the season with a 14-point, seven rebounds effort vs. IUPUI (3/4). play in all emerged as a solid front court player with lots of potential... big presence in the paint... closed the season by hitting nine of his last 10 shots from the field... finished third on the team in field goal percentage... one double figure rebounding game... nine rebounds at Western Illinois (2/22)... most points since November with nine against UMKC (2/15), hitting all four of his shots from the field... first points in four games with six against Oral Roberts (2/13)... matched his career best with a pair of blocks at Chicago State (1/30)... 3-for-3 from the field against Texas A&M-CC (1/27)... three rebounds against Valpo (1/25) were the most in a game in almost a month... started his second game of the season against Jacksonville State (12/30)... did not miss a shot against the Gamecocks, going 2-for-2 from the field and free throw line... first career start against Adrian (12/4)... season-high three steals against the Bulldogs... season best two blocks against Akron (11/30)... first career double-double of 18 points and 10 boards against IPFW (11/26) points and seven rebounds in collegiate debut against Spring Arbor (11/23). High School: Lettered his junior and senior for head coach Robert Shannon... named all-city and all-state during his senior year where he averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds per game... also lettered in track and field (2000) competing in shot put and the 4x100m, as well as cross country (2002)... graduated with honors. Personal: Born Shawn Jamar Hopes on November 7, 1984 in Detroit, Mich.... son of Rita Hopes... brother Samuel Hopes Jr. played basketball ( , ) at the University at Albany : Did not play basketball : Continued to improve in his sophomore season... one of the team s first subs off the bench for most of the season... did get 10 starts among his 28 appearances... fifth on the team in scoring... third in rebounding... reached double figures in scoring three times... double figures in rebounding once... one double-double... eight points in each of the three games at the Dell/BCA Classic to open the season... totaled 15 rebounds in that series... hit 6-of-11 shots against #5 Missouri (11/29), ending with 14 points and eight rebounds against the Tigers... eight points and seven boards in the win over Texas A&M (12/6)... also set a new career mark with three blocked shots against the Aggies... recorded his double-double against Saginaw Valley State (12/16) with season highs of 14 points and 10 rebounds... also had a career-high three assists in that game points at Memphis (12/29) on 5-of-7 shooting... five points and six boards in the win over UMKC (1/24)... seven points and nine rebounds in a win at IUPUI (2/29)... matched his career best with five free throws against the Jaguars... averaged over five rebounds over the last five games of the season... six boards against Western Illinois (2/28) : One of five players to see action in every game for the Golden Grizzlies, getting a pair of starts... the only true freshman to OAKLAND BASKETBALL

4 HOPES GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! St. Peter s! NOTRE DAME COLL DUQUESNE Bowling Green MIAMI U SAINT LOUIS Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament HOPES CAREER BESTS Points 22, at Oral Roberts (1/18/06) FG 9, at Oral Roberts (1/18/06) FGA 14, vs. IPFW (11/26/02) 3FG -- 3FGA 1, vs. IPFW (2/25/04) FT 5, twice, most recent at IUPUI (2/19/04) FTA 7, at IUPUI (2/19/04) Rebounds 12, vs. Albany (11/9/06) Assists 3, twice, most recent vs. Saginaw Valley State (12/16/03) Blocks 5, vs. Albany (11/9/06) Steals 4, vs. Albany (11/9/06) Minutes 34, twice, most recent at Oral Roberts (1/18/06) As you leave Oakland University, what advice would you pass on to the players who are coming into the program? With this experience, be prepared to work hard and do a lot of work on your own. It will benefit you in the long run because it will help define a work ethic for you to progress in today s game. - Shawn Hopes HOPES CAREER STATS / / Did Not Play / Totals 85/ OAKLAND BASKETBALL 15

5 Vova Severovas 31 Senior Forward Vilnius, Lithuania Groves (Mich.) (Wright State) Vova Severovas with Dr. Kellie Denise Hay/Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism : Started every game after he became eligible in December honorable mention All-Mid-Con in his first season in the league led the conference and was 16th in the nation in field goal percentage tops on the team in rebounding and second in scoring 8th and 6th in the Mid- Con in those categories also led the team in field goal percentage, free throw and free throw attempts shot over 62 percent in Mid-Con play attempted 10 or more free throws six times double figures in scoring 16 times two double-doubles reached the 20-point plateau five times led the team in scoring on seven occasions topped the squad in rebounds 12 times, including the last six games of the season reached double figures in his first game as a Golden Grizzly with 13 points at Marquette (12/ 19) 24 points in his third game vs. Spring Arbor (12/23) 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting vs. IUPUI (1/4) that started a seasonhigh five consecutive games in double figures first double-double of the year with 18 points and 10 boards at UMKC (1/14) hit 10-of- 13 again against IUPUI (2/4) on his way to a 25-point night solid night at Centenary (2/18) with season highs of 13 rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocks to go with 17 points next game hit 10-of-12 from the field with nine rebounds while scoring 25 points at Southern Utah (2/23) career-high of 30 points in the next game at Chicago State (2/25). Prior To Oakland: Played a season and a half at Wright State before transferring to Oakland in January of started the first 10 games of the season for the Raiders, playing in all 28 games as a freshman... averaged 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds... reached double figures in scoring five times... reached a career-high 12 points on three occasions points and eight rebounds in his second career game at South Florida... career best 14 rebounds in the next game at Morehead State... shot over 50 percent from the field for the season... played in just six games for the Raiders as a sophomore. High School: A 2003 graduate of Groves High School in Detroit, Michigan... three-year letterwinner for head coach William Norton... all-state player as a senior, averaging 23.6 points and 11.9 rebounds... named the best power forward in the state by Michigan Prep Spotlight... averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds as a junior points and 11 boards as a sophomore... helped lead Groves to a combined record during his three seasons... also lettered twice in track. Personal: Born Vladimiras Severovas on April 2, 1985 in Vilnius, Lithuania... nickname is Vova... son of Jack and Teresa Severovas... speaks four languages (English, Lithuanian, Russian and Polish) OAKLAND BASKETBALL

6 SEVEROVAS GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! DNP St. Peter s! DNP NOTRE DAME COLL. DNP DUQUESNE DNP Bowling Green DNP MIAMI U. DNP SAINT LOUIS DNP Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament SEVEROVAS CAREER BESTS Points 30, at Chicago State (2/25/06) FG 10, three times, most recent at Southern Utah (2/23/06) FGA 15, vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) 3FG -- 3FGA 1, vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) FT 12, at Chicago State (2/25/06) FTA 14, at Chicago State (2/25/06) Rebounds 14, at Morehead State (12/3/03) Assists 5, at Centenary (2/18/06) Blocks 2, at Centenary (2/18/06) Steals 5, vs. Valparaiso (1/26/06) Minutes 40, twice, most recent vs. IUPUI (3/4/06) What have you learned from the coaching staff during your time at Oakland? I am very thankful to the coaching staff for all of their hard work and time they put into coaching me to help me improve as a basketball player. - Vova Severovas SEVEROVAS CAREER STATS (04 & 05 AT WSU) / / / Totals 56/ OAKLAND BASKETBALL 17

7 David Carson 24 Junior Forward Gary, Ind. Andrean HS Dave Carson with Professor De Witt S. Dykes/Department of History : Another solid season for OU as a sophomore played in every game started the first eight games of the season became one of the team s leading three-point threats led Oakland in three-point shooting and was third in three-point field goals second on the squad in blocked shots six games in double figures career-best eight rebounds in back-to-back games vs. St. Peter s (11/10) and Notre Dame College (11/19) 10 points vs. Duquesne (11/26) started a streak of four straight games in double figures 15 points and seven rebounds at Bowling Green (11/30) season and career best 18 points vs. Miami (Ohio) (12/6) seven of ten free throws on his way to an 11-point night against Saint Louis (12/10) matched his previous best with three blocks at Valparaiso (1/2) hit 3-of-3 treys at Western Illinois (1/16) to set a new career-high 10 points in second meeting with Western Illinois (1/28) : Saw action in all 32 games as a backup forward for Oakland as a freshman... two starts... second on the team in blocked shots... started his career by scoring in his first 19 games... notched his careerhigh in his second outing, putting in 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting against No. 4 Illinois (11/24)... career best five rebounds against North Dakota State (12/20) in his first career start... career-high nine points, four boards and a pair of blocks in the win over Bowling Green (12/30)... swatted away a career-high three shots in the win over Southern Utah (1/22)... hit a three-point shot in three straight games against Oral Roberts (2/16), Chicago State (2/19) and Western Illinois (2/23)... key 10 points vs. UMKC (3/5) in the first round of the Mid-Con Tournament. High School: A 2004 graduate of Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana... three-time letterwinner for coach Mark Horvarth... averaged 23 points, nine rebounds and three blocks a game as a senior... allconference, all-area and all-region selection... first team all-area by both the Hammond Times and the Gary Post Tribune... helped lead the team to a 18-4 record and a sectional championship... averaged 10 points and eight rebounds as a junior... also lettered in track as a shot putter. Personal: Born David Lee Carson II on June 7, 1986 in Gary, Indiana... son of David and Marjorie Carson... favorite food is spaghetti... if he could go anywhere in the world it would be Milan, Italy OAKLAND BASKETBALL

8 CARSON GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! St. Peter s! NOTRE DAME COLL DUQUESNE Bowling Green MIAMI U SAINT LOUIS Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament CARSON S CAREER BESTS Points 18, vs. Miami Univ. (12/6/05) FG 7, vs. Miami Univ. (12/6/05) FGA 13, vs. Miami Univ. (12/6/05) 3FG 3, at Western Illinois (1/16/06) 3FGA 5, vs. IUPUI (1/4/06) FT 7, vs. Saint Louis (12/10/06) FTA 10, vs. Saint Louis (12/10/06) Rebounds 8, twice, most recent vs. Notre Dame Coll. (11/19/05) Assists 3, twice, most recent at Marquette (12/19/05) Blocks 3, twice, most recent at Valparaiso (1/2/06) Steals 2, at Oral Roberts (1/20/05) Minutes 36, vs. Saint Louis (12/10/05) Describe the feeling you had after the winning shot went into the basket during the Mid-Con Championship game? It was an indescribable feeling that everything that the team had went through and worked for paid off. - Dave Carson CARSON S CAREER STATS / / Totals 61/ OAKLAND BASKETBALL 19

9 Brandon Cassise 12 Junior Guard Walled Lake, Mich. Orchard Lake St. Mary s HS Brandon Cassise with Professor Gene Joseph Fogel/Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism : Again played the role as one of Oakland s top scoring threats off the bench saw action in 26 games with a pair of starts second on the team in threepoint field goals and free throw percentage tied for fourth in assists seven games in double figures, including three of his last five 12 points vs. Notre Dame College (11/19) helped the team to a road win at Bowling Green (11/30) with 11 points, three assists and a pair of steals shook off a mid-season shooting slump with 10 points, including three treys, in the win over Valparaiso (1/26) played his best ball over the last five games of the season when he averaged 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists career highs of five treys and six assists during a 17-point game vs. UMKC (2/11) next game he struck for a season-high 21 points in 23 minutes at Centenary (2/18) went 9-for-9 from the free throw line in that game, another career best 14 points against IUPUI (3/4) at the Mid-Con Tournament : Saw action in every game for Oakland, with 10 starts... evolved into the Golden Grizzlies top scoring threat off the bench in the latter half of the season... led the team in three-point field goals and finished 10th in the Mid-Con in three-point field goals per game... led the team in free throw shooting and was fourth in scoring... reached double figures in points 13 times, including the last four games of the season for his longest such stretch of the year... back-to-back games of 10 points against Marquette (11/27) and Texas A&M (12/1)... career-highs of 22 points and a pair of steals against North Dakota State (12/20)... career best four rebounds along with 16 points at Oral Roberts (1/20)... hit 9-of-16 three-point attempts over two games, netting 16 vs. Western Illinois (2/23) and 19 against IUPUI (2/26)... also handed out a career-high four assists vs. the Jaguars... hit at least three treys in each of the last four games, including four against North Carolina (3/18) at the NCAA Tournament... set his career best with three steals against the Tar Heels. High School: A 2004 graduate of Orchard Lake St. Mary s High School in Orchard Lake, Michigan... lettered one season at OLSM in basketball for coach George Porritt... Oakland County Dream Team... all-county player... All-Catholic League... averaged 21 points, five rebounds, four assists a game as a senior... prior to playing at OLSM he attended Walled Lake Central High School... his last two seasons there he averaged 24 points a game... also lettered four times in football as a quarterback. Personal: Born Brandon Michael Cassise on February 1, 1986 in Pontiac, Michigan... son of Michael and Linda Cassise... favorite car is a Pontiac GTO... would like to star in a movie with Jessica Simpson OAKLAND BASKETBALL

10 CASSISE GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! St. Peter s! NOTRE DAME COLL DUQUESNE Bowling Green MIAMI U SAINT LOUIS Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* DNP Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* DNP VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* DNP ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament CASSISE S CAREER BESTS Points 22, vs. North Dakota St. (12/20/04) FG 7, vs. North Dakota St. (12/20/04) FGA 15, at Xavier (11/19/04) 3FG 5, twice, most recent vs. UMKC (2/11/06) 3FGA 11, vs. UMKC (2/11/06) FT 9, at Centenary (2/18/06) FTA 9, at Centenary (2/18/06) Rebounds 5, three times, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) Assists 6, vs. UMKC (2/11/06) Blocks 1, twice, most recent vs. UMKC (2/11/06) Steals 3, vs. North Carolina (3/18/05) Minutes 34, at Bowling Green (11/30/05) What was the most memorable experience about being a part of the NCAA Tournament? The most memorable experience for me was standing in the tunnel with North Carolina before our game. It had been my dream growing up to play on that level. - Brandon Cassise CASSISE S CAREER STATS / / Totals 58/ OAKLAND BASKETBALL 21

11 Patrick MCCloskey 44 Junior Foward Marshall, Mich. Marshall HS Patrick McCloskey with Dr. Kieran Mathieson/Department of Decision and Information Sciences : Played in every game for a second consecutive season seven starts fourth on the team in rebounding and steals scored in every game but six double figures in rebounds four times 11 boards in the second game of the season vs. St. Peter s (11/10) season-high of six points in back-to-back games against Notre Dame College (11/ 19) and Duquesne (11/26) also pulled down 12 rebounds against the Dukes career bests of four steals and four assists at Bowling Green (11/30) career-high 15 rebounds vs. Miami (Ohio) only two blocks of the season came in back-to-back games vs. Centenary (1/21) and Valparaiso (1/26) : Steadily progressed throughout his first season and became a starter at forward for the last 13 games of the season... saw action in all 32 outings with 16 starts... third on the team in rebounding and fifth in scoring in his first season... second on the squad in free throw shooting... reached double figures in scoring twice and in rebounds once... scored in every game but three... started his career with a six-point, five-rebound effort at Xavier (11/19)... pulled down eight boards against Marquette (11/27)... eight points and nine boards in his first start against North Dakota State (12/20) points on 5-of- 5 shooting against Southern Utah (1/22)... career-high 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting against Michigan State (1/29)... established his career mark in steals with three vs. UMKC (2/3)... career best 11 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament opening round win over Alabama A&M (3/ 15)... went 3-for-3 from the field against North Carolina (3/18) in the NCAA first round. High School: A 2004 graduate of Marshall High School in Marshall, Michigan... four-time letterwinner for coach Dan Coddens... first team all-state as a senior... averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds... over 1,000 points for his high school career... averaged 18 points and 11 boards as a junior... named third team all-state that season... threetime all-area and all-conference player... helped lead Marshall to three straight district titles... also lettered twice in football and once in soccer... two-time academic all-state... four academic letters. Personal: Born Patrick Ryan McCloskey on March 11, 1986 in Marshall, Michigan... son of Tim and Sue McCloskey... favorite TV show is The Simpsons... three people in history he would like to have dinner with are Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Albert Einstein OAKLAND BASKETBALL

12 MCCLOSKEY GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! St. Peter s! NOTRE DAME COLL DUQUESNE Bowling Green MIAMI U SAINT LOUIS Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament MCCLOSKEY S CAREER BESTS Points 12, at Michigan State (1/29/05) FG 6, at Michigan State (1/29/05) FGA 9, at Michigan State (1/29/05) 3FG -- 3FGA 1, three times, most recent vs. Southern Utah (1/9/06) FT 5, vs. UMKC (3/5/05) FTA 6, vs. UMKC (3/5/05) Rebounds 15, vs. Miami (Ohio) (12/6/05) Assists 4, twice, most recent vs. Miami (Ohio) (12/6/05) Blocks 1, seven times, most recent vs. Valparaiso (1/26/06) Steals 4, at Bowling Green (11/30/05) Minutes 37, vs. IUPUI (2/26/05) Describe the feelings you have as a member of the Oakland basketball team. I take pride in playing for Oakland. Playing for Oakland I know that we are going to play some of the best teams in the nation and win conference championships. - Pat McCloskey MCCLOSKEY S CAREER STATS / / Totals 61/ OAKLAND BASKETBALL 23

13 Erik Kangas 30 Sophomore Guard DeWitt, Mich. DeWitt HS Erik Kangas with Professor Doris Runey/Department of English : Top three-point threat among the freshman class saw action in 25 games with a pair of starts fourth on the team in three-point field goals one of six players to reach 20 points in a game scored in double figures four times 10 points in his first collegiate outing vs. Albany (11/ 9) hit seven of 10 three-point attempts for a 21-point effort against Notre Dame College (11/ 19) 10 points and a career-high seven rebounds in his first collegiate start against Spring Arbor (12/23) off the bench for 11 points at UMKC (1/14). High School: A 2005 graduate of DeWitt High School in DeWitt, Michigan... three-year letterwinner for head coach Ron Marlon... first team all-state selection as a senior when he averaged 17.7 points six rebounds and shot 35 percent from three-point range... twice named to the Lansing State Journal dream team... Mr. Basketball nominee... honorable mention all-state as a junior with averages of 18.9 points and five rebounds a game... helped lead DeWitt to the state championship game that season... set a new Michigan high school record with 17 three-point shots in the final round (quarterfinal, semifinal and finals)... twice a first team All-Capital Area Activities Conference performer... also lettered in track as a junior in the high jump, long jump and 200-meter dash. Personal: Born Erik Michael Kangas on July 17, 1987 in Lansing, Michigan... nickname is Roo... son of Brian and Susan Kangas... father played baseball at Lansing Community College in favorite non-sports hero is Batman... if he could go anywhere in the world it would be Paris OAKLAND BASKETBALL

14 KANGAS GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! St. Peter s! NOTRE DAME COLL DUQUESNE Bowling Green MIAMI U SAINT LOUIS Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* DNP WESTERN ILLINOIS* DNP IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* DNP Chicago St.* IUPUI# DNP * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament KANGAS CAREER BESTS Points 21, vs. Notre Dame Coll. (11/19/05) FG 7, vs. Notre Dame Coll. (11/19/05) FGA 14, at UMKC (1/14/06) 3FG 7, vs. Notre Dame Coll. (11/19/05) 3FGA 13, at UMKC (1/14/06) FT 4, vs. Centenary (1/21/06) FTA 5, vs. Centenary (1/21/06) Rebounds 7, vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) Assists 3, vs. Notre Dame Coll. (11/19/05) Blocks --- Steals 2, at Oral Roberts (1/19/06) Minutes 26, vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) What is the toughest part of college basketball? All of the time that it demands from all of the practices to being on the road makes it hard to balance basketball, studies and your social life. - Erik Kangas KANGAS CAREER STATS / OAKLAND BASKETBALL 25

15 Keith MACKenzie 11 Sophomore Guard Macomb, Twp, Mich. Warren DeLaSalle HS Keith MacKenzie with Professor Paul A. Gelinas/Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism : One of only five players to see action in every game for Oakland one of two freshmen to do so four starts averaged over 12 minutes a game as one of OU s primary backup guards still finished second on the team in assists best assist/turnover ratio on the squad put points on the board in 14 games, including a season best seven straight set his season-high in points with six in his third game as a collegian against Notre Dame College (11/19) first career blocked shot vs. Miami (Ohio) (12/6) responded in his first career start with a season-high six assists vs. Spring Arbor (12/23) career-high three rebounds vs. IUPUI (1/ 4) season-high two steals on three occasions, including vs. Centenary (1/21) hit a pair of three-pointers at Chicago State (2/ 25), along with three assists and a block, to match his career-high in points. High School: A 2005 graduate of DeLaSalle High School in Warren, Michigan... three-year letterwinner for head coach Greg Esler... Macomb County Player of the Year as a senior... finished fourth in the Mr. Basketball voting in Michigan... all-state, all-league, all-catholic and all-metro... averaged 23 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists, leading the Pilots to a 22-3 mark in squad reached a ranking as high as fourth in the state in twice named the captain of his team... averaged 17 points, 5.5 assists and two steals as a junior. Personal: Born Keith MacKenzie on December 5, 1986 in Royal Oak, Michigan... nickname is Kmac... son of Keith and Diane MacKenzie... favorite car is a Range Rover... would like to star in a movie with Denzel Washington OAKLAND BASKETBALL

16 MACKENZIE GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! St. Peter s! NOTRE DAME COLL DUQUESNE Bowling Green MIAMI U SAINT LOUIS Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament How have you been able to impact the lives of others while being a college athlete? MACKENZIE S CAREER BESTS Points 6, twice, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) FG 2, twice, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) FGA 4, four times, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) 3FG 2, twice, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) 3FGA 4, twice, most recent vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) FT 2, three times, most recent at Valparaiso (1/2/06) FTA 2, four times, most recent at Valparaiso (1/2/06) Rebounds 3, vs. IUPUI (1/4/06) Assists 6, vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) Blocks 1, twice, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) Steals 2, three times, most recent vs. Centenary (1/21/06) Minutes 30, vs. Spring Arbor (12/23/05) Being a student-athlete; students and other members of the Oakland community recognize who you are. So I try my best to be a positive role model and set an example. - Keith MacKenzie MACKENZIE S CAREER STATS / OAKLAND BASKETBALL 27

17 Derick Nelson 1 Sophomore Forward Lansing, Mich. Everett HS (Bridgton Acad. (Maine)) Derick Nelson with Dr. Richard Linden/Department of Psychology : Played in every game as a freshman started all of those but four proved to be one of the top rebounders on the team and in the Mid-Con in his first season led the team in total rebounds and was second in rebounding average led the squad and was sixth in the league in offensive rebounds ninth in the Mid-Con in rebounding second on the team in steals third in assists double figures in scoring 12 times one 20-point game one double-double first appearance of the season was cut to just three minutes due to injury first full game against St. Peter s (11/10) scored 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds got his double-double two games later against Duquesne (11/26), with a career-best 20 points and 10 rebounds also set season highs of free throws (12), free throw attempts (13) and assists (4) against the Dukes season best 11 rebounds against Saint Louis (12/10) 12 points, three steals and eight boards at Toledo (12/28) 11 points and nine rebounds in first conference start vs. IUPUI (1/4) that was the beginning of a three-game stretch of double-figure scoring, his best streak of the season closed the season with 11 points at Chicago State (2/25) and 10 vs. IUPUI (3/4) at the Mid-Con Tournament. Prep School: Attended Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine... help lead the squad to the New England Prep School championship... scored 24 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in the championship game... recipient of the Bridgton Academy Headmaster s Award for the student most outstanding in character deportment, scholarship, and being a good influence upon fellow students. High School: A 2004 graduate of Everett High School in Lansing, Michigan... two-year letterwinner for head coach Johnny Jones... all-state, all-league and all-district as a senior... helped lead the Vikings to the Michigan Class A state championship and a 26-2 record as a senior... all-league player as a junior... also lettered twice in football and once in track... all-league player in football as a senior. Personal: Born Derick Lee Nelson on March 31, 1986 in Lansing, Michigan... son of Darren Kimbrough and Silvia Nelson... favorite hobby is reading... favorite non-sports hero is Martin Luther King, Jr OAKLAND BASKETBALL

18 NELSON GAME-BY-GAME Opponent Min. FG-A 3FG-A FT-A Reb. PF A TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Albany! St. Peter s! NOTRE DAME COLL DUQUESNE Bowling Green MIAMI U SAINT LOUIS Marquette Wisconsin-Milwaukee SPRING ARBOR Toledo Missouri Valparaiso* IUPUI* CHICAGO ST.* SOUTHERN UTAH* UMKC* Western Illinois* Oral Roberts* CENTENARY* VALPARAISO* WESTERN ILLINOIS* IUPUI* ORAL ROBERTS* UMKC* Centenary* Southern Utah* Chicago St.* IUPUI# * Mid-Con game;! Coaches vs. Cancer Classic; # Mid-Con Tournament NELSON S CAREER BESTS Points 20, vs. Duquesne (11/26/05) FG 5, three times, most recent at Western Illinois (1/16/06) FGA 10, four times, most recent at IUPUI (2/4/06) 3FG 2, vs. IUPUI (1/4/06) 3FGA 2, five times, most recent vs. Oral Roberts (2/9/06) FT 12, vs. Duquesne (11/26/05) FTA 13, vs. Duquesne (11/26/05) Rebounds 11, vs. Saint Louis (12/10/05) Assists 4, vs. Duquesne (11/26/05) Blocks 1, twice, most recent at Southern Utah (2/23/06) Steals 3, three times, most recent at Chicago State (2/25/06) Minutes 33, vs. Saint Louis (12/10/05) What is the best part of being a college basketball player? Seeing the little kids that look up to us and letting my brothers know it can be done - Derick Nelson NELSON S CAREER STATS / OAKLAND BASKETBALL 29

19 Ricky Bieszki 2 Sophomore Guard Clinton Twp., Mich. Notre Dame Prep HS : Saw action in seven games as a freshman, walk-on guard picked up a steal and a rebound in his first game against Notre Dame College (11/19) another theft vs. Oral Roberts (2/9). High School: A 2005 graduate of Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac, Michigan... four-year letterwinner for head coach Myke Thom, a former Oakland standout... helped lead his squad to a combined record over four years and a district championship in Spirit of the Fighting Irish award... Dirty Dozen award for 12 seasons of athletics participation... also lettered three times in football and four times in lacrosse. Personal: Born Richard M. Bieszki on December 8, nickname is Ricky... son of Richard and Kathleen Bieszki... sister Bobbie played four years of basketball for Oakland ( )... favorite sport other than basketball is lacrosse... favorite food is shrimp gumbo. How have you been able to impact the lives of others while being a college athlete? Ricky Bieszki with Dr. Mark W. Severson/Department of Chemistry. I have been able to talk to high school student-athletes about the hard work and dedication it takes just to get to the next level. - Ricky Bieszki BIESZKI S CAREER STATS / Shane Lawal 20 Sophomore Center Southfield, Mich. Lathrup HS : Got into 10 games as a back-up center in his first season it was just his second season of organized basketball first two points of his career came against Duquesne (11/26) along with his first three rebounds and a blocked shot final appearance of the season was his best put in seven points against Oral Roberts (2/9) to go with three rebounds and a blocked shot. Prior to Oakland: Spent one year at the University of Michigan... did not participate in athletics for the Wolverines. High School: A 2004 graduate of Southfield High School in Southfield, Michigan... played one year of basketball for the Chargers and received a letter for head coach Mike Avery... helped lead the team to the final eight in the Michigan high school championships... also lettered four times in soccer and was the team captain of that squad as a sophomore. Shane Lawal with Professor Mary Anne Cukr/Department of Exercise Science. Personal: Born Olaseni Lawal on October 8, 1986 in Abeokuta, Nigeria... nickname is Shane and Big Shane... son of Dora Jaiye Bello... mother participated in basketball, track and volleyball in college... favorite movies are Scarface, Pulp Fiction and Shrek... three people in history he would like to have dinner with are Malcom X, Jesus and Teddy Roosevelt. What have you learned from the coaching staff during your time here? How to think through the game and play smart. - Shane Lawal LAWAL S CAREER STATS / OAKLAND BASKETBALL

20 B-Jay Walker 4 Sophomore Guard Lathrup Village, Mich. Royal Oak Shrine HS : Played in five games as a freshman missed the latter part of the season with an injured shoulder scored two points in his first collegiate game on a pair of free throws against Notre Dame College (11/19) hit his only field goal of the season against Duquesne (11/26). High School: A 2005 graduate of Royal Oak Shrine High School... two-year letterwinner for head coach Mike Massucci... all-district and honorable mention all-state as a senior... team captain as a senior Play Maker Award... averaged 15 points, three rebounds and eight assists... as a junior he averaged 10 points and six assists per game. Personal: Born Brandon Jay Walker on January 2, 1987 in Detroit, Michigan... son of Durand and Cynthia Walker... father played basketball at Indiana Wesleyan... favorite car is a Range Rover... would like to star in a move with Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez. B-Jay Walker with Professor Evanthia Diakoumakou/Department of Linguistics. As a student at Oakland, what is the daily experience like? Go to practice, study hall, class, and then my personal life; I would not change it a bit! - B-Jay Walker WALKER S CAREER STATS / Dan Waterstradt 45 Junior Center Dearborn Heights, Mich. Redford Catholic Central (Rutgers) Will sit out the season after transferring from Rutgers to Oakland. Prior to Oakland: Played two seasons at Rutgers played in 26 games as a sophomore, averaging 1.4 points and 1.3 rebounds per game played in every game but one as a freshman, averaging 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds blocked a total of 22 shots at RU. High School: A 2004 graduate of Redford Catholic Central... three-year letterwinner in basketball for head coach Rick Carratti... Class A all-state team as a senior when he averaged 20.4 points and 14.5 rebounds... top-rated center in the state of Michigan as a senior... finalist for Michigan s Mr. Basketball... helped his team to a berth in the state district finals... two-time all-league, all-metro and all-district selection... averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as a junior. Personal: Born Daniel Raymond Waterstradt on March 21, 1986 in Southfield, Michigan... nickname is Stradt or Dubs... son of Mark and Sharon Waterstradt. Dan Waterstradt with Dr. A. Jay Meehan/Department of Sociology and Anthropology. What has been the best part of being a college basketball player? Playing No. 4 Syracuse on ESPN and hitting two free throws with 27.4 seconds left. - Dan Waterstradt WATERSTRADTS CAREER STATS (05 & 06 AT RU) / / Totals 54/ OAKLAND BASKETBALL 31

21 Keith Benson 40 Freshman Center Farmington Hills, Mich. Detroit Country Day HS High School: A 2006 graduate of Detroit Country Day High School... earned two varsity letters in basketball for head coach Kurt Keener... averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds as a senior... helped the team to the state quarterfinals and a 20-5 record... earned all-area, all-metro and honorable mention all-state honors... also earned basketball letters for the freshman and JV squads during his career... member of the Executive Board at his school from also served as Parliamentarian during that time. Personal: Born Keith A. Benson, Jr. on August 13, nickname is Kito... son of Keith Benson and Janice Hale... father played basketball at Jackson State from uncle Hilton Hale played at both Northwestern and San Diego State... uncle Emanuel Leaks played college ball at Niagara and played for a number of NBA and ABA teams. Keith Benson with Dr. Shailesh K. Lal/Department of Biological Sciences. Why did you choose Oakland over other schools? I chose Oakland University because it has a tradition of excellence. - Keith Benson Johnathon Jones 3 Freshman Guard Okemos, Mich. Okemos HS High School: A 2006 graduate of Okemos High School... four-year letterwinner in basketball for head coach Dan Stolz... a McDonald s All-America nominee as a senior... averaged 21.6 points and six assists as a senior... helped lead Okemos to the state championship game... scored 38 points in the doubleovertime championship game... fourth in the voting for Michigan s Mr. Bassketball... first team all-state points, six assists and five steals as a junior... twice named his conferences Player of the Year... Who s Who Among American High School Students... also lettered in football as a quarterback. Personal: Born Johnathon Christopher Jones on Mar 1, 1988 in Lansing, Michigan... nickname is JJ... son of Johnny and Sue Jones. Johnathon Jones with Professor Susan G. Baker/Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism. Describe your feelings you have as a member of the Oakland basketball team. It is a privilege to be on the team. It was one of my favorite moments when the first practice came. - Johnathon Jones OAKLAND BASKETBALL