PORTLAND, Ore. – Washington 2B State Player of the Year Kelson Gebbers (Brewster, Wash./Brewster HS) has signed with Portland men’s basketball, head coach Shantay Legans announced. Gebbers is the fourth incoming freshman to sign with the Pilots for the 2023-24 season.
“We have known Kelson and watched him develop for a number of years,” Legans said. “He will be an excellent fit within our program. Kelson has good size and shoots the ball very well. He brings a winning pedigree and is a great all-around athlete that has a chance to make a real impact here.”
“I have had a great relationship with the coaching staff since their time at Eastern Washington,” Gebbers said of his decision to join the Pilots. “I think the staff brings something you don’t find at most places in terms of the competitive and fun environment they create around the program. That was a major deciding factor after meeting the team and watching practice.”
Gebbers (6-6, 200) concluded a standout career at Brewster High School where he led the Bears to the Washington State 2B State Finals all three seasons, including capturing the 2020 state title. Gebbers was named the 2023 Washington 2B Player of the Year after averaging a double-double of 28 points per game and 12 rebounds per game his senior season. He also garnered first team All-State recognition during the 2022 season.
A standout two-sport star, Gebbers scored 1,783 career points in three basketball seasons and owns the Brewster school record in football for quarterback passing yards and completions. Earlier this week he was named the 2023 Scorebook Live 2B Athlete of the Year for all sports.
“Shooting is my biggest strength,” Gebbers said of what he will bring to the team. “I have a good feel for the game and like to cut and get open on offense. I plan to bring energy to the team every day at both ends of the court.”
Gebbers joins previously announced freshmen Tyler Harris, Cyprian Hyde and Vincent Delano, as well as transfers Alimamy Koroma, Thomas Oosterbroek, Noah Jordan and Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams as part of Portland’s incoming class for the 2023-24 season.
Legans and the Pilots will bring back several key players including two-time All-West Coast Conference guard, Tyler Robertson. Robertson averaged 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and a WCC-best 5.2 assists per game last season.
Chris Austin, who averaged 14.2 points for the Pilots during the 2021-22 season, will return to the active roster next year after redshirting this past season with a broken leg. Juanse Gorosito earned All-WCC Freshman Team honors, broke the Pilot freshman record for three-pointers made (63) and started 12 games, while center Vasilije Vucinic started 10 games. Portland is also eager to integrate Vukasin Masic (Maine transfer) and freshman Bol Dengdit who are coming off redshirt seasons and expected to be key contributors.
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