Sacramento State Basketball Lands Big Names—Will More Elite Players Follow?

NBA legend Shaquille ONeal becomes Sac State basketball general manager

Image: FOX40 News | YouTube

First, Sacramento State University unveiled its impressive new basketball facility — “The Well,” a modern 3,200-seat venue set to replace the outdated 1,000-seat “Nest.”

Then, last month, the men’s team welcomed 14-year NBA veteran Mike Bibby as its new head coach.

On Monday, Bibby’s close friend, Shaquille O’Neal, was appointed as the new unpaid General Manager of the program, which has seen just two winning seasons since its promotion to Division I in 1991.

On Tuesday, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, high school sensation Mikey Williams transferred from the University of Central Florida, becoming Bibby’s second high-profile recruit. The first? None other than O’Neal’s son, Shaqir O’Neal, who made the move after his junior year at Florida A&M.

How has one of the country’s weaker Division I programs suddenly captured so much attention?

It doesn’t matter, says Brian Botteen, head coach at San Ramon Valley-Danville High School, whose players may have never considered Sacramento before these recent developments. Now, they certainly will.

Botteen’s Wolves secured a state title in 2015 and achieved win totals of 26, 29, and 24 in the past three years, coming close to the state D1 championship game in 2024 and reaching it in 2025. Danville lies about 80 miles from Sacramento State and is a prime recruiting area for the Hornets.

“What a fantastic selling point and opportunity to change the program’s culture than featuring names with such extensive professional backgrounds,” Botteen remarked. “(Alameda Junior College) recently brought in Gary Payton, and when a name like that joins, interest skyrockets.”

Elliot Conley, a first-team All-East Bay Athletic League guard from San Ramon Valley, is intrigued and available.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard may possess more potential than all his teammates who have already committed to college: Luke Isaak to UC Irvine, Mason Thomas to Santa Barbara City College, and Conley’s twin brother, Thomas, to UC Santa Cruz.

Though he has received several offers, the dynamic left-hander awaits the perfect opportunity, and the recent news out of Sacramento has piqued his interest.

“Who wouldn’t want that?” he stated. “It’s incredible to see two big names like O’Neal and Bibby come in. They will undoubtedly attract some top-tier players, especially with Mikey Williams joining. It’s likely they will be an impressive team right away. With that type of talent and coaching, there’s room for growth every single day. I would love to be part of that.”

Highlights from @CIFState run back to another NorCal D1 Championship game. Proud of our team’s continued success and thankful to everyone who supported and cheered for us along the way! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/tBkKunZ4uo
— Elliot Conley (@elliotconley1) March 17, 2025

Tim Kennedy, coach at Mitty-San Jose, believes Conley’s enthusiasm will resonate among prospective players.

Kennedy coached Aaron Gordon and the Mitty Monarchs to back-to-back state Division 2 titles and a runner-up finish in the Open Division in 2013. Both Mitty and San Ramon Valley are recognized as premier programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, although many of their top talents, Gordon excluded, have drawn interest from mid-major or lower-tier programs.

Sacramento State is becoming a more appealing option.

“I think anytime you have Shaq’s name attached, it instantly lends credibility,” Kennedy remarked. “Combined with the new facilities and a fresh coaching staff, it adds significant appeal for kids from the Bay Area.”

The gravitational pull of this development is extending far beyond just the Bay Area.

Williams has been a prominent figure in AAU circles long before entering high school, having played alongside Bronny James and being ranked as the top player in the Class of 2023 by Naismith National Youth All-American Report.

He proved his prowess in his first varsity game at San Ysidro High School in San Diego, scoring 46 points. Williams later set a San Diego Section single-game record with a jaw-dropping 77-point performance, establishing a new California state record for freshmen. He ended the season averaging just under 30 points, with 4.9 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game, earning National Player of the Year accolades from MaxPreps.

The 6-3 guard transferred to North Carolina for his sophomore and junior years before returning to San Ysidro for his senior season, where he maintained averages of 23.8 points and 9.2 assists per game. Recruited by Penny Hardaway, Williams committed to Memphis but never took the court due to a criminal investigation.

In January 2024, he made the move to UCF, where he averaged 5.1 points and 14.0 minutes of play per game last season. However, on Tuesday, he took to Instagram to announce his decision to join Sacramento State.

In his conversation with Dushawn London of CBS Sports, he shared: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a program that includes a legend like Shaquille O’Neal and to play under the guidance of Coach Bibby. I’m excited to lock in and represent Sacramento State at the highest level.”

Prior to Bibby’s arrival, the Hornets secured the region’s standout player, 6-foot-9, 230-pound senior forward Mark Lavrenov from Rocklin, who was named the Sacramento Bee’s Player of the Year. Lavrenov also earned a first-team All-California selection from High School On SI after boasting averages of 23.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, leading the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 champions.

Lavrenov expressed to the Sacramento Bee following Bibby’s hiring on March 25th: “Just knowing his past accolades, playing experience and his knowledge for the game, that’s super exciting to be in a position to be able to learn and be coached by a guy like that.”

Bibby’s reputation in the area is notable, having spent 6.5 seasons with the Sacramento Kings, which constitutes a significant portion of his NBA career. He guided his son Michael Jr. at the AAU and high school levels, eventually taking the helm at his alma mater, Shadow Mountain in Phoenix, Ariz., where he led the team to five state championships.

In 2019, he briefly coached for 10 games at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix.

“Mike will recruit talented student-athletes and develop a team culture that embodies success both on and off the court,” Sacramento State’s Athletic Director Mark Orr stated upon his hiring. “I am convinced that Mike will pour every ounce of his energy into Sacramento State and engage the entire Sacramento region.”

While O’Neal might not be very active with the program due to his hectic schedule, his association alone is sure to create an immediate buzz.

“He’s such a fun, entertaining person; I watch after every TNT game just to watch him,” Conley remarked. “I was barely born when he was playing, but I’ve obviously seen him on YouTube. Oh my goodness he was impressive, a beast. It would be so cool to play on a team he was a part of. It would be unbelievable.”

𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙌𝙐𝙄𝙇𝙇𝙀 𝙊’𝙉𝙀𝘼𝙇 𝙉𝘼𝙈𝙀𝘿 𝙂𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙇 𝙈𝘼𝙉𝘼𝙂𝙀𝙍 𝙊𝙁 𝙎𝘼𝘾𝙍𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙊 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝙈𝙀𝙉’𝙎 𝘽𝘼𝙎𝙆𝙀𝙏𝘽𝘼𝙇𝙇

Dr. Shaquille O’Neal has agreed to serve as the General Manager of Sacramento State Men’s Basketball. O’Neal joins the program shortly… pic.twitter.com/OxhPhqlRRK
— Sacramento State Men's Basketball (@SacHornetsMBB) April 29, 2025

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Athletic Highlights
Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais Joins 2026 Polynesian Bowl Roster
2026 Englewood Cherry Creek DL offer Tufanua Umu-Cais
Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek defensive lineman Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais has received an invitation to participate in the 2026 Polynesian Bowl, as announced on Tuesday.
The standout player from Colorado expressed his excitement about this honor.
“Being selected to the Polynesian Bowl is a huge honor,” stated Umu-Cais. “It’s a recognition of all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices I’ve made, and it means even more knowing how much pride and history are connected to the game. I have seen many players in the Poly Bowl and even players that are in the league now. It is truly special to be a part of something like that.”
Umu-Cais is eager to immerse himself in the experience in Hawaii.
“I’m extremely excited,” he said. “The Polynesian culture is so rich, full of pride, family, and tradition. I’m looking forward to learning more, meeting new people, and embracing everything the experience has to offer. I am extremely excited to immerse myself in the Poly community because it’s my culture. I can’t wait to really put on for my family as well as my community.”
This will mark his first visit to the Aloha State.
“I haven’t been to Hawaii yet, so this will be my first time,” Umu-Cais shared. “I’m really looking forward to it—the beauty, the culture, and the experience of a lifetime.”
Additionally, Umu-Cais is enthusiastic about the opportunity to compete alongside some of the nation’s top talents.
“I do not know the roster yet and what players are going to be attending, but I look forward to meeting them and also competing,” he noted.
The roster for the 2026 Polynesian Bowl includes early invitees such as Immanuel Iheanacho, Faizon Brandon, DJ Jacobs, Myson Johnson-Cook, Brandon Arrington, Chris Henry Jr., Kendre Harrison, Cederian Morgan, Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, Xavier Griffin, Kelsey Adams, Jamier Brown, George Toia, and Jett Washington.
The 2027 Polynesian Bowl will feature early invites including Elijah Haven, Trent Seaborn, and Marcus Fakatou.
Launched in 2017, the Polynesian Bowl saw its first Offensive MVP awarded to former Stanford all-purpose back Connor Wedington, while Buffalo Bills defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa earned the Defensive MVP. The following year, Kyler Gordon from the Chicago Bears and Tanner McKee from the Philadelphia Eagles were named Co-MVPs.
The 2019 contest awarded co-MVP honors to Daniel Heimuli, a linebacker from Arizona, and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams. In 2020, Sol-Jay Maiava, the quarterback from BYU, and Meki Pei from Hawaii won co-MVP awards.
The 2021 edition saw Travis Hunter from Colorado take home the offensive MVP title, while Jaishawn Barham of Michigan earned defensive MVP honors. In 2023, Nico Iamaleava, a quarterback from Tennessee, was named offensive MVP, and linebacker Andrew Harris garnered defensive MVP accolades.
The 2024 game awarded offensive MVP to Mike Matthews from Tennessee and defensive MVP to David Stone of Oklahoma. Lastly, the 2025 contest featured co-MVPs on offense in Husan Longstreet from USC and Dakorien Moore from Oregon, while 2026 defensive lineman Deuce Geralds earned the defensive MVP honor.
The tenth Polynesian Bowl is scheduled for January 16, 2026, in Honolulu and will be broadcasted by NFL Network.
For more details on the 2026 Polynesian Bowl roster, go here.
The eleventh Polynesian Bowl is slated for January 22, 2027, in Honolulu and will also be aired by NFL Network.
For insights on the 2027 Polynesian Bowl roster, go here.
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Athletic Highlights
Creighton Secures Former MEAC Player of the Year Blake Harper
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Blake Harper, a standout freshman basketball player from Howard University, confirmed his transfer to Creighton University on Sunday through social media.
Harper, who garnered both the MEAC Player and Rookie of the Year honors, shared his decision on Instagram @_bharp.
“you can’t say i ain’t earn it??” he wrote. “RDJ”
A Washington, D.C. native who previously played at Gonzaga College High School, Harper entered the transfer portal on March 24 and ultimately chose Creighton, turning down offers from LSU and Ohio State. Standing 6-foot-8, he also had the choice to return to Howard.
Harper is set to join a Creighton team coached by Greg McDermott, who led the Bluejays to an impressive 25-11 overall record, including a 15-5 performance in the Big East Conference during the 2024-25 season. The Bluejays secured an NCAA Tournament spot and concluded the season ranked 24th in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Throughout the 2024-25 season, Harper made an impact at Howard, starting in all 32 games and averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, contributing to the Bison’s 12-20 record, which included a 7-7 performance in the MEAC.
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Athletic Highlights
Which Teams Are Leading Michigan High School Baseball This Week?
Bay City Western baseball ready for state semifinals
The Michigan high school baseball season has kicked off, and we’re here to deliver weekly rankings of the top teams across the state during the spring and summer months.
Check out this week’s standout teams in the Mitten region.
Michigan High School Baseball Rankings: Apr. 29
1. Bay City Western (12-1)
Bay City Western triumphed over Flint Powers Catholic 9-0 last Thursday but faced a setback with a 4-1 loss against Midland on Monday. The Warriors are gearing up for their next games against Lapeer on May 1 and Grand Blanc on May 5.
2. De La Salle (12-2)
The Pilots swept Auburn Hills Avondale on Saturday, winning both games 15-0, with game one ending after four innings and game two after three. De La Salle’s next challenge comes in the form of a doubleheader against Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice on April 30.
3. Northville (14-1)
The Mustangs notched wins against Hartland and two over Utica last week, followed by a victory against Howell on Monday. Northville is poised for a rematch against Howell on April 30.
4. Dakota (11-4)
After a heavy 10-0 loss to Rochester Adams last weekend, the Cougars bounced back with decisive wins against Sterling Heights Stevenson, claiming victories of 10-0 on Monday and 14-2 on Tuesday. Dakota is slated to face Stevenson two more times to wrap up their four-game series.
5. Birmingham Brother Rice (11-6)
The Warriors pulled off a sweep against Detroit Edison last week (2-0) and secured a 10-6 victory over Hartland on Friday. Up next, Brother Rice will face rival De La Salle for a doubleheader on April 30.
6. Grosse Pointe South (18-2)
With a win over Detroit Edison on Saturday, the Blue Devils set a new school record with their 15th consecutive victory. Although they stumbled against Anchor Bat on Monday, they have a chance for revenge on April 30 and May 1.
7. Saline (15-1)
The Hornets swept Chelsea in two games on Saturday and achieved a similar result against Ann Arbor Huron on Monday. With a five-game winning streak, Saline is stepping into the final match of their three-game series against Ann Arbor Huron on April 30.
8. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (10-8)
OLSM traveled to Ohio over spring break, where they faced three games: an 8-7 defeat against Anthony Wayne, a 3-2 loss to Defiance on Saturday, and an 8-3 loss to Perrysburg later that day. The Eaglets are set to resume their Catholic League schedule on April 30 with a doubleheader against U of D Jesuit.
9. Romeo (16-2)
The Bulldogs are on an impressive seven-game winning streak, recently sweeping Stoney Creek on Saturday. They’ll look to maintain their momentum with a visit to Utica Ford next on May 1.
10. Sterling Heights Stevenson (12-2)
Stevenson is riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Anchor Bay twice on Saturday and mercying Dakota on Monday. The Titans will meet Dakota again on April 30 and May 1 before a brief pause, then face Utica Ford on May 5.
11. Hudsonville (12-2)
The Eagles wrapped up last week with a strong 5-1 record, including victories against Jenison and Rockford. Hudsonville is set to take on Rockford again on May 1 before hosting a doubleheader against Maple Valley the following day.
12. Jenison (8-2)
The Wildcats dominated Muskegon with a 15-0 win but narrowly lost to Hudsonville 9-8 last week. They split a doubleheader against Caledonia on Tuesday (W, 10-0; L, 3-2), with a rubber match scheduled for May 1.
13. New Boston Huron (16-0)
The Chiefs kept their unbeaten record intact last week with wins over Allen Park and Milan. They are set to play Flat Rock next on April 30 and have a matchup with Dearborn Divine Child on May 2.
14. Detroit Catholic Central (10-6)
The Shamrocks are currently on a four-game winning streak, most recently sweeping Portage Central on Tuesday. Up next, Detroit Catholic Central will face St. Francis de Sales in a doubleheader on April 30.
15. West Bloomfield (8-3)
The Lakers split a doubleheader with Rochester last week and followed that up with back-to-back wins against Groves, including an 8-1 victory on Tuesday. West Bloomfield will meet Groves once more on May 1 before taking on Stoney Creek on May 3.
16. Dexter (13-6)
The Dreadnaughts have struggled recently, dropping four of their last six games, including both matches in a doubleheader against Ann Arbor Skyline on Monday. They have another opportunity against Skyline on April 30 before heading to Adrian on May 3.
17. Woodhaven (15-5)
The Warriors have secured consecutive victories after experiencing two losses in a row, with their latest triumph coming against Dearborn Edsel Ford, winning 2-1 in a dramatic nine-inning game on Monday. Woodhaven’s upcoming opponents include Wyandotte on April 30, followed by Taylor on May 1.
18. Rochester Adams (15-4)
Rochester Adams holds a 2-2 record over its last four games, having recently suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Stoney Creek on Tuesday. The Highlanders have another chance to face Stoney Creek on May 2 before taking on Grosse Pointe North in a doubleheader on May 3.
19. Trenton (13-3)
The Trojans went 2-1 at the 9th Bob Kreszyn Classic on Saturday, achieving victories over Wayland and Flint Powers Catholic, with their only setback against Utica Ford. Additionally, Trenton triumphed over Taylor on Monday, and their next matchup is against Dearborn Edsel Ford on April 30.
20. Midland (6-2)
Midland upset the top-ranked team in the state, securing a 4-1 victory over Bay City Western on Monday. Despite a number of canceled games this season, the Chemics’ schedule is about to heat up, starting with a game against Davison on April 30.
21. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (9-5)
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep faced a tough doubleheader against Flushing on Saturday, resulting in two losses, but bounced back on Monday with a solid 9-2 win over U of D Jesuit.
22. Detroit Western (13-5)
After a 12-7 win against Grosse Pointe North on Saturday, the Cowboys suffered an 8-3 loss to Grosse Pointe South later that day. However, they regained their momentum with a 5-2 victory over Cass Tech on Tuesday. Detroit Western is set to face Livonia Stevenson next on April 30.
23. Grand Ledge (13-5)
The Comets faced a tough defeat in a doubleheader against Okemos on Monday, breaking a four-game winning streak. Grand Ledge will aim to bounce back during a doubleheader against Lansing Everett on May 1.
24. Mattawan (8-2-3)
Mattawan has triumphed in four of its last five outings, although they faced a setback against Grandville, losing 4-3 on Saturday. The Wildcats will take on Gull Lake next in a doubleheader on April 30.
25. Allen Park (8-5)
The Jaguars managed to avoid a third consecutive loss by overpowering Lincoln Park with a decisive 15-0 win on Monday. Allen Park will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to host Taylor for a doubleheader on April 30.
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