The Eugene Chargers got their first glimpse at the team’s initial roster Sunday at the Morse Event Center. Coach Kenya Wilkins and his staff watched as candidates took part in the Chargers’ first of two open tryouts.
“I feel the tryouts went fairly well,” Wilkins said. “There were 17 guys there and we expected around 20 to show up. We got what we prepared for.”
According to sources, the group of tryouts ranged from 20- to 33-year-olds and included hoopsters who played at Warner Pacific College, Oregon Institute of Technology and George Fox. James Davis, a 2004 Oregon graduate who used to light up McArthur Court with his three-point shooting, turned some heads at the tryout. Davis’ 242 career three-pointers ranks second on Oregon’s all-time list.
The Chargers will have another tryout in mid-February. Wilkins aims to have a final roster full of disciplined players who can work as a team.
“I’m looking for a determined bunch that have experience and a good knowledge for the game,” Wilkins said. “I need guys that can play in our system.”
Wilkins, who was a four-year starter at Oregon from 1993-97, was named the Chargers’ first head coach in late November. Wilkins is also the team’s Director of Basketball Operations. As a well-recognized former collegiate athlete in the Eugene community, Wilkins was an attractive candidate to IBL Commissioner Mikal Duilio for coaching the Chargers.
“Kenya was an ideal fit for the Chargers organization based on his experiences and knowledge of the game at both the collegiate and professional levels,” Duilio said following Wilkins’ signing.
Wilkins put together a stellar resume while playing at Oregon under coach Jerry Green. He was the team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior guard in the 1996-97 season, leading the Ducks to a 17-11 record. He earned All-Pacific-10 Conference honors and was a nominee for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the top male and female player in the nation. Wilkins is Oregon’s all-time leader in assists and steals. With that history, he is pleased to be coaching on his old stomping ground.
“If I had the choice, I would not want to be anywhere else,” Wilkins said. “I’m very connected with the Eugene community, and I enjoy being a part of that. It’s a great place to be a head coach.”
After playing at Oregon, Wilkins played professional ball in South America and Poland. He participated in offseason practice with the Orlando Magic and coached at Churchill and Willamette High School. He also coached at Cal State Northridge as an assistant and is the current owner of the Eugene-based Game Time Basketball Academy, one of the many companies that have welcomed the Chargers to Eugene.
“The community has been very welcoming,” Wilkins said. “I’ve spoken with different organizations around town and they seem excited for us to come here.”
The Chargers open their season at home against the Salem Stampede April 7. They will play 10 home at the Morse Event Center on the Northwest Christian College campus.
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