As the 2024–25 basketball season tips off, expectations are high for both the Oberlin College men’s and women’s basketball teams. Both teams look to build off of last season and continue to make competitive strides in the North Coast Athletic Conference. With dedicated coaches at the helm, standout returners, and new talent ready to make an impact, there is good reason to be excited for basketball in the Oberlin community.
Men’s Basketball
The Oberlin Yeomen, under the guidance of Head Coach Shiva Senthil, look to improve upon last season’s promising performance. In 2023–24, the Yeomen posted a 14–12 overall record and finished 8–8 in the NCAC, marking a six-win improvement from Senthil’s first season. This year, they aim to break into the top four of the conference, a goal that reflects the hunger and belief within this squad.
The Yeomen will rely heavily on All-NCAC selections Yuuki Okubo and JJ Gray. Okubo, a senior point guard, led the NCAC in assists last season, averaging 5.9 per game in conference play. He also ranked second nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio. Gray, the sophomore 6’7” guard, returns after a breakout year where he averaged 16.7 points per game and secured double figures in 21 of 23 contests. This earned him NCAC newcomer of the year honors as well as the title of D3hoops.com Great Lakes Region Rookie of the Year. His scoring ability, coupled with Okubo’s playmaking, forms a formidable backcourt duo.
Junior center Milun Micanovic, whose early-season contributions may be curtailed due to a preseason injury, is expected to bolster the Yeomen’s inside presence. Micanovic’s sophomore season included five double-doubles and a near double-digit scoring average. Filling his absence in the meantime, Jackson Reynolds and Dut Lual will be called upon to provide quality minutes at the center position. Seniors Andrew Gannon, Will Bousquette III, and Asaan Snipes-Rea bring experience and defensive versatility to the court. With 185 combined game appearances, these seniors will be crucial in maintaining team chemistry in high-stakes situations. Oberlin’s first-year class, featuring Alasan Njie-Morgan, Matt Andreopoulos, and Rob Magner, is generating some excitement as well. Each rookie comes from a strong high school program and has integrated into the team’s culture well. They will look to support the Yeomen’s ambitious season goals.
“We’re ready,” said Okubo in a message to the Review. “We have high expectations for this group and we’re ready to show out.”
The team opens the season with a home tip-off tournament November 8–9, which includes a community partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This volunteer organization ensures that every child has a comfortable place to sleep. The Yeomen will participate in bed-building activities post-tournament, emphasizing the program’s commitment to making a local impact beyond the court.
Women’s Basketball
The Oberlin Yeowomen, led by veteran Head Coach Stephany Dunmyer, enter the 2024–25 season with a solid foundation despite key losses to graduation, including all-conference guards Alyson Jefferson and Gina Lombard. Dunmyer’s program has been synonymous with consistency, notching 54 combined wins over the last three seasons. The team finished last year’s season on a 16–10 record and this year’s team is determined to build on that.
Senior guard/forward Camille Zinaich will anchor the team. A dynamic player, Zinaich earned All-NCAC second-team honors last season, averaging 13.7 points, 8 rebounds, along with 33 steals and 23 blocks on the defensive end. Second-year Krystal Montas, third-years Katherine Csiszar and Alira Allen, and fourth-year Kendal McCall fill out the rest of the frontcourt. Montas, who led the team with 52 blocks as a first-year, is expected to be a formidable force in the paint.
The backcourt will have a new look as third-years Ellie Pollock-Ballard and Lily Najmulski take on increased responsibilities. The duo combined for 71 three-pointers last season, providing offensive firepower from beyond the arc. Third-year Angela Kumler’s return from injury adds another layer of scoring and defensive capability. Before her injury, she was averaging 8.2 points per game and shooting an impressive 49.3 percent from the field. Third-year Anora Lee, second-year Allison Bubar, and fourth-year Taylor Sanchez provide further backcourt depth. Lee has seen action in 52 games over her first two seasons, averaging 18.4 minutes per contest. First-year Samantha Dormer, Ananya Sivasubramaniam, Camilla McDaniel, and Gabby Pena join the squad and will look to continue building the culture they’ve been brought into.
“Every year since I’ve been here our goal has been to win a NCAC championship,” wrote Zinaich in a message to the Review. “I think this year we really want to focus on showing up every game competing together and having fun in the process.”
Alira Allen added to Zinaich’s statement, stating, “As a team our expectation is to play to the caliber we know how to. We are constantly looking for improvement every practice, lift, and game. We are very intentional with embodying our core values as a team, and with that I believe our success is inevitable.”
The Yeowomen’s season kicks off on Nov. 8 at Adrian College. Their first home game will be Nov. 23 against Pennsylvania State University at Erie, The Behrend College.
