GUAM BASKETBALL PLAYERS STATESIDE

By Michael Cruz

Guam has been fortunate through the years developing young basketball talent that have had success at the collegiate level. GSPN spotlights some of the stateside basketball talent whom are currently making a name for themselves in the states while still being tied to Guam.

Micheal Sakazaki (photo courtesy of Michael Sakazaki’s Facebook)

Michael Sakazaki – Chaminade University

Sakazaki finished up his freshman season in March and broke his left foot in January during a game. He battled back and recovered to play 10 minutes on March 1 against Fresno Pacific. Michael should be even better next season and contribute more as a sophomore. The Silverswords finished 19-13, won the Pacific West Conference Tournament, and lost by 1 point versus the #1 seed Cal State San Bernardino in the NCAA Division II West Regionals.

Darren Hechanova. (photo courtesy of dailybreeze.com)

Daren Hechanova – Peninsula College

Daren’s family has ties to Guam and he played his high school ball in Torrance, California. He started at Saddleback Junior College and played guard. Daren left the team and was out of college basketball for a year. Daren received a second chance at junior college Peninsula which is located in Washington State. He was 2014 all defensive team in Peninsula’s conference.

Jordan Mesa – Portland, Oregon

Talent doesn’t skip a generation with nine year old Jordan Mesa. Yes, he is the son of Arnold Mesa Jr. The kid has ball handling skills that would make Ricky Rubio proud. He is already a gym rat and plays in various youth leagues in hoop crazy Portland.

Sammy Setik playing in the Tamuning Typhoons in 2013. (GSPN file photo)

Sammy Setik –Denver, Colorado

Setik recently helped his Four Star team, which consisted of Micronesians living in Denver, to a 1^st place finish at a March Madness tournament in Salem, Oregon.

Eric Roberts. (courtesy photo)

Eric Roberts – Creighton University

Roberts attended Anderson Middle School from 6^th to 8^th grade. He played with the Island Dragons and Tamuning Typhoons. He is former teammates with John Ilao, Christian Payumo, and Kurtis Silva. Eric played his high school ball in Georgia and Alaska. He is a walkon with the Creighton Bluejays and teammates with Doug McDermott.

Kyle Husslein – Hawaii

A soon to be college freshman, Husslein has ties to Guam which has led him to wanting to try out for the Guam Men’s National Team who are scheduled to compete in the Micronesian Games this July. Kyle is a tall point guard who grew up playing basketball on Guam.