The 2014-15 Merritt College Thunderbirds

Now November may display some differences on the roster but here's the group of guys Merritt College Coach Keenan McMiller will be leading into summer play. In his initial season at the helm of the Thunderbirds, McMiller has what looks to be a brand new crew save for one holdover. His player analysis below is in quotation marks.

* Rodney Pope, 6-foot-0, point, freshman (Freedom High), Most Valuable Player of the Bay Valley Athletic League -- "had a offer from CSU Monterey Bay and other junior colleges recruiting him were: Fresno City and Antelope Valley. With strength and leadership development will be a legitimate DI point guard."

* Leo Smith, 5-foot-9, point, sophomore (Oakland Tech, Chabot College), former Most Valuable Player of the Oakland Athletic League, Honorable Mention All State and First team All Conference for Chabot, averaged 11.2 points and 4.0 assists last season, shooting 47%, 47% and 80% respectively, invited to the July Jerry Mullens showcase in St. Louis -- " Leo is a legitimate DI level point guard with aspirations of playing professional abroad. We will improve Leo's strength and speed up his shooting release."

* Denzel Bellott, 6-foot-2, shooting guard, sophomore (McClymonds High),  invited to the July Jerry Mullens showcase in St. Louis, averaged 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds, shooting 46%, 47% and 64% respectively last season for Merritt -- "Denzel is one of the best shooters on the west coast and his high level work ethic and attitude make him a great pickup for mid-to-low major DI programs. The best of Denzel is yet to come and I look forward to coaching him this season."

* Karim Helali, 5-foot-10, shooting guard, freshman -- "from Africa but a U.S. citizen, he can shoot and he's tough."



* DJ Kennedy, 6-foot-4, shooting guard/wing, freshman (Pittsburgh High), Bay Valley Athletic League First Team selection -- "a DI guy, high motor, one of the best passers at 6-foot-4, can get in the lane and finish with contact, can defend full court."

* Jemelle Corbino, 6-foot-4, wing, sophomore (Castlemont High, Trinidad State CO transfer -- "a three and a four, he rebounds and can hit the spot up three, a former All Oakland Athletic League player."

* Gerry Cooper, 6-foot-4, wing, sophomore (Manteca High) -- "played prep ball with Kiwi Gardner, long and lanky, super athletic, is active and can pressure the ball 94 feet."

* Randy Bell, 6-foot-5, 210, frontcourter, freshman (Pittsburg High) -- "a qualifier out of high school, he's tough with a good motor, will do the dirty work and defend, a second team all leaguer."

* Tra'von King, 6-foot-5, 225, frontcourter, sophomore -- "powerful with a high motor, he finishes strong and goes hard, can guard 94 feet, was at City College of San Francisco a while back , from New York."

* Matthew Thomas, 6-foot-9, 210, frontcourter, freshman (Newark Memorial High), Mission Valley Athletic League First Team pick -- "has been well coached at Newark Memorial High School by coach Craig Ashmore and with physical maturity, weight training and speed work, Matthew will play big role in what we do. I believe he will become a mid-to-high major Division 1 player. He can run the floor, shoot with both hands, doesn't turn 18 until July and doesn't realize how high a level of potential he has."

McMiller offered, " We have great balance, four legitimate shooters, guys willing to play down low and two MVPs at the point guard position. We'll take our lumps in pre-season but overall our skill level at every position has improved."

He continued, "We will head to Los Angeles this summer (July) to play in the So Cal JC Showcase at Cerritos College, the site of the Junior College State Championships. "