A year ago at this time, the Golden Grizzlies were the hunted. Coming off of a championship season and a Cinderella moment, the rest of the league wanted what Oakland had.
Now, the script has flipped. Oakland saw a 16-18 (11-9) campaign end up in a Horizon League sixth seed in 2024-2025, with the Golden Grizzlies falling short in the tournament semifinals to eventual tournament champion Robert Morris. The overtime 79-76 loss still lingers around the returners of this year.
As many programs in the country experience every offseason, there was plenty of turnover in recent months. Allen Mukeba, Isaiah Jones, Jaylen Jones, Malcolm Christie, DQ Cole and Jayson Woodrich are all gone from last year’s regular rotation, with the first four of that group transferring.
However, a few key returners and a quality incoming class has the excitement level high around the Oakland program.
“We have had a really good preseason. Other than a few nagging injuries that we have had it has been as good as I could have asked for,” Oakland head coach Greg Kampe said.
One reason why Kampe feels so good about where his team is at, is the level of intensity that he sees his group bring on a daily basis.
“They bring it everyday. They walk through the door after practice and they see a sign that says ‘did you win the day?’ Right now I think we have been able to answer yes everyday,” Kampe said.
Not having to completely start over is a good thing. Returning players like Buru Naivalurua and Nassim Mashhour were key cogs last season, with Naivalurua being a third year guy now. Naivalurua is the only one left from the roster that beat Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, grabbing five rebounds in eight minutes in that game. He now returns as a player of the year candidate in the Horizon League, while Mashhour is a bonafide starter.
“They have had to handle it,” Kampe said of Mashhour and Naivalurua being put into leadership roles. “They have to help teach the zone, they have to help everyone understand the plays, they have to be the leaders and I think they have done a great job.”
Kampe talked about his goals in the offseason when trying to fill out almost an entire roster, and while he likes how he and the staff have done, judgement days are still in the distance.
“You are never satisfied with enough shooting. That’s been one of the staples of our program for years. We understand in our recruiting that we will be starting over every year now. We are always trying to recruit to the zone, with size, length and athleticism, but number one will always be shooting. We think we have done it, but you never know until the games start,” Kampe said.
Oakland ranked 337th in three point shooting percentage last season.
There will be plenty of cracks at the basket this year, as Kampe believes they could go 9-10 deep.
“Right now I look at our team having a starting ten. As a coach I never play ten players, but I think this team I may have to. Do I start different lineups every game? Do I just come up with different rotations? It is all a work in progress. We have ten guys I think could start. I think I have a pretty good idea of how I want to attack it but we still have 30 days (at time of interview) of practice to let it all play out.”
It is plausible that Kampe will not be playing 10 guys by the end of the year, but being able to have options to rely on is a good sign for the makeup of this edition of the Golden Grizzlies roster. Let’s meet those options.
Returning Players
Buru Naivalurua 6-8 / F/ Sydney, Australia/ Garden City CC
Naivalurua returns to the Golden Grizzlies after averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game last year. The graduate Student will be a focal point all year for Oakland, and could be the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year. The best thing that Oakland did in the offseason was keeping Naivalurua around.
Nassim Mashhour 6-6/ G/ Dearborn, Michigan/ Dearborn High School
If you are looking for a breakout candidate on the roster, Mashhour might be the guy. After shooting 45% from three and averaging seven points a game in league play as a Freshman, Mashhour is primed for a big leap in usage. A name to watch.
Warren Marshall IV 6-6/ G/ Auburn Hills, Michigan/ Brother Rice High School
Marshall redshirted a year ago, but will most likely have something to say on the court this year. His length is perfect for the zone Oakland employs, and his shooting and finishing ability should give him a role.
It’s not a massive crew returning, but Oakland should feel excited about the three guys who have stuck around to give another run.
Incoming Players
Michael Houge 6-7/ F/ Detroit, Michigan/ Jacksonville State
Houge was the leading rebounder for CUSA runner-up Jacksonville State with 7.4 a game, while also scoring almost nine a contest. He was also a member of the MAAC all tournament team when he helped lead Saint Peter’s to the NCAA Tournament in 2024. This is an all league contender.
Brody Robinson 5-11/ G/ Houston, Texas/ UT Arlington
The WAC’s leading assist man will shore up the point guard spot for Oakland. Robinson scored about 10 a game as well, while making 40% of his threes on four attempts per game. He has traits that Greg Kampe point guards have excelled in.
Isaac Garrett 6-8/ F/ Pleasant Grove, Utah/ Snow College
Snow College was the top JUCO team in the country for a lot of last year, and Garrett was their man in the middle. He comes to Oakland over offers from California and Florida State, and should be penciled in as the opening night starting five man.
Brett White 6-6/ G/ Battle Creek Michigan/ Rochester Christian University
White was one of the top players in NAIA last year, averaging an efficient 21 points a game while grabbing seven rebounds a game as well. He scored 31 points against Oakland in last year’s exhibition contest.
Ziare Wells 6-4/ G/ Queens, New York/ Lenoir-Rhyne
Lenoir-Rhyne made the D2 Elite Eight a year ago, and Wells was their leading scorer at over 16 points per game.He can score.
Khoi Thurmon 6-1/ G/ Chicago, Illinois/ Panola College
Thurmon averaged around 15 points per game and six assists per game on a Panola College team that made the JUCO Final Four. He and Robinson bring a ton of tools to the point guard spot.
Projected Starters
PG: Brody Robinson
SG: Nassim Mashhour
SF: Michael Houge
PF: Buru Naivalurua
C: Isaac Garrett
Preview Week 2025-26
MBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
WBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
Cleveland State (MBB | WBB) | Detroit Mercy (MBB | WBB) | Green Bay (MBB | WBB) | IU Indy (MBB | WBB)
Milwaukee (MBB | WBB) | Northern Kentucky (MBB | WBB) | Oakland (MBB | WBB) | Purdue Fort Wayne (MBB | WBB)
Robert Morris (MBB | WBB) | Wright State (MBB | WBB) | Youngstown State (MBB | WBB)
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