Connect with us

Basketball

BEN BORJA BLAZING A TRAIL

Big Ben Borja Jr. has relocated to Portland, Oregon and has committed ample time to improving his basketball game. Borja was a rising star on Guam and GSPN takes a look back on how the former Bulldog made his way.

By Michael Cruz

Ben Borja, Jr’s. basketball journey started on Guam in the sixth grade. He was originally a baseball player and now basketball has become his sport of choice. His father Ben Borja Sr. was also a great basketball player. Borja Jr’s. high school career started on the junior varsity as a freshman and he helped them grab the IIAAG championship in 2013. His sophomore year was his first on varsity with the Okkodo Bulldogs.

First Trip to Oregon

Borja Jr. had the opportunity to visit his half-brother Kea Colburn. Colburn is a Southern High alum and former high school basketball player and the brothers are 17 years apart. Colburn moved out to Oregon right after high school and established a successful life. The brothers were able to reunite after years apart. Borja Jr. had a free workout at the Hoop 360 basketball facility and attended the Les Schwab Classic as a spectator. He had an opportunity to meet Jahlil Okafor, the number one center in high school and now current Duke basketball player.

Return to Guam

Borja Jr. returned for the third quarter at Okkodo and was named the starting center for the defending champions. His debut started with 16 point, six rebound, three block and one steal in a win over St. John’s. He contributed in two close victories over the JFK Islanders. Then, the Bulldogs placed sixth in the Far East tournament and lost the third meeting with JFK 50-47. His defense shined as the GSPN staff all selected him as the defensive anchor of the league. His eight blocks versus Guam High was sensational.

Bulldogs’ Ben Borja was a defensive force all 2014 season long. (GSPN file photo)

Bulldogs’ Ben Borja was a defensive force all 2014 season long. (GSPN file photo)

The playoffs started with a 56-42 win over Southern. Borja Jr. had 11 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. He had an eight block performance again versus Guam High to help Okkodo advance to the finals. The Bulldogs lost a defensive battle versus the FD Friars in the championship game 37-35. Borja Jr. ended the season being selected First Team All-Island. He finished off his sophomore year and helped Okkodo win their first boys volleyball title.

Back to Oregon

Borja Jr. made the decision to return to Oregon this past June. He started devoting 20 plus hours per week to basketball. He started with attending a basketball camp and working out at Hoop 360. Borja Jr. made a good impression at the camp and was selected by Coach Kumbeno Memory to the I-5 Elite AAU team. He had the opportunity to play in four AAU tournaments, which included the Bigfoot Classic in Las Vegas.

Borja Jr. considered returning to Guam. He decided though to play his final two years in Oregon. He found a school and will attend Southridge High School which plays 6A (largest classification in State). Borja Jr. has taken college path courses and will look to pursue admission into the school’s International Baccalaureate program. The goal is to be challenged more on the court and in the classroom. His ball handling and outside shooting has improved. He enjoys being a role model to his nephew Keallum Colburn.

Good luck on your journey Big Ben!

Athletic Profile

Age: 16

Height: 6’6 without shoes

Weight: 200 lbs.

Wingspan: 6’9

Vertical: 27.5 inches

Classification: Junior

Position: Post and wing

High School: Southridge High

City: Beaverton, Oregon

Writer’s notes: Kea Colburn and Arnold Mesa have been friends since high school. Both of their sons Keallum Mesa and Jordan Mesa play on the same U11 AAU team. Check out youtube links below to see more on Ben, Keallum, Jordan, and Isaiah. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/JordanMesa1/videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/hcsm6v/videos

 

 

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

June

July 2025

August
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
Events for June

1st

Events for July

2nd

Events for July

3rd

Events for July

4th

Events for July

5th

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Events for July

6th

Events for July

7th

Events for July

8th

Events for July

9th

Events for July

10th

Events for July

11th

Events for July

11th

No Events
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Events for July

12th

No Events
Events for July

13th

No Events
Events for July

14th

No Events
Events for July

15th

No Events
Events for July

16th

No Events
Events for July

17th

No Events
Events for July

18th

No Events
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Events for July

19th

No Events
Events for July

20th

No Events
Events for July

21st

No Events
Events for July

22nd

No Events
Events for July

23rd

No Events
Events for July

24th

No Events
Events for July

25th

No Events
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Events for July

26th

No Events
Events for July

27th

No Events
Events for July

28th

No Events
Events for July

29th

No Events
Events for July

30th

No Events

COMING SOON …

FD Alumni Basketball Tournament Playoffs

 

QUICK HITS

Guam’s Jeremiah Camacho shot a perfect game at the 48th Hong Kong Open. The 22-year-old Guam National Team Member shot his 18th career perfect game on lanes 1 and 2 at Top Bowl Lanes in Hong Kong.
————————————————–
Guam’s athletes performed well in the Spartan Race in Capas Tarlac, Philippines, picking up two division wins and two 2nd place finishes.
Belen Sidell 43 yrs (1st)
Phil Law 58 yrs (1st)
Tess Esma 48 yrs (2nd)
James Sardea 55 yrs (2nd)
Charles Esma 18 yrs (12th)

More in Basketball