Isaiah Tobi Ogunbare poses for a photo on media day. PHOTO COURTESY OF MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
Justin Staggers
Managing Editor
The transfer portal has undeniably changed the landscape of college basketball in the United States. Coaches are no longer just recruiting new talent—they must also re-recruit players within their own locker room who may have garnered interest from other schools. Millersville University’s Men’s Basketball has proven to be no exception to this new reality.
Just months removed from a 2024 NCAA DII tournament appearance, the 2025 squad will feature just three returning players – Jahme Ested, Isaiah Tobi Ogunbare, and Drew Stover.
The Marauders will also have to make do without last season’s core of Matt Dade, who signed professionally in Argentina, Jayden Faulkner, who graduated, Day Waters, who transferred to Slippery Rock University, and J.D. Gross. Those four players alone accounted for 52.9 of the Marauders’ 81.74 points per game (ppg) last season.
But it’s more than those four that will be missing. All told, the Marauders lost 12 of their 15 players from the 2023-2024 team to the transfer portal and graduation in the offseason. However, that hasn’t deterred a team that expects to be a contender in a crowded PSAC East again.
The team has brought in a talented group of transfers, headlined by Montell Cooper and Murray Grant.
Cooper, a graduate student from Glenn Dale, Maryland, was a four-year standout at Marymount University, averaging 12.9 points per game in 64 career games.
Grant, originally a Division I guard at Prairie View A&M before transferring to CCBC Catonsville, is expected to be a major contributor after averaging 16.5 points per game on 40.6% shooting last season.
Millersville has also welcomed a strong freshman class, highlighted by local product and reigning Lancaster-Lebanon Player of the Year Ethan Benne. Benne, a Mountville native, was a standout forward at Penn Manor, averaging 23.0 points per game. While listed as a forward, Benne can play all over the floor and has an extremely smooth three-pointer. Benne, only being a freshman, may be expected to learn behind the starters for a year, but is someone that the Marauders view as a vital component to their future success.
New beginnings for Ogunbare
Basketball was not Isaiah Tobi Ogunbare’s first love. Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, his early focus was on the field – first in soccer, then in rugby – all long before he’d find his calling on the court.
“I grew up playing soccer,” Ogunbare said. “That was my first love. I stopped playing once I started secondary school. Since it was a big-time rugby school, I played that for two years.”
Had it not been for a nudge from his secondary school PE teacher, he may still be playing soccer or rugby today. While there, Ogunbare, who always towered over his classmates, was encouraged to give basketball a try.
“Growing up, people always told me to give basketball a shot because of how tall I was, but I was never really interested,” Ogunbare admitted. “When I got to secondary school, my PE teacher, who was also the basketball coach, suggested I try it out.”
That suggestion sparked a transformation. Ogunbare quickly dedicated himself to the game, realizing his immense potential. From then on, his dream was to come to the United States to pursue both his academic and athletic career.
In 2021, at just 17 years old, Ogunbare made that dream a reality, moving from Dublin to Lawrence, Massachusetts. He enrolled at Lawrence High School in Essex County, just 30 minutes outside of Boston.
While his junior year didn’t go as planned, Ogunbare flourished during his senior season, averaging impressive numbers and attracting interest from college programs. In his two seasons at Lawrence High School, which was the number two ranked high school basketball team in Massachusetts during that time, Ogunbare would average a dominant 12.5 points to go along with 14.5 rebounds per game.
“I was originally committed to Gannon, ” admitted Ogunbare. “But their coach got fired right before I signed, forcing me to reopen my commitment.”
Thankfully for Ogunbare, the interest didn’t end there. He was soon approached by Casey Stitzel and his staff at Millersville.
“I immediately got in contact with Coach Stitzel and his assistant coach at the time,” said Ogunbare. “We set up a visit and then I ended up taking the offer on the spot after working out while on my visit.”
Ogunbare would spend his freshman year on the redshirt list, learning behind the likes of Matt Dade and Drew Stover.
While Ogunbare did not appear in any collegiate games during the 2023-2024 season, he still took massive strides in the development of his game.
One of the ways he did that was by spending his summer representing Ireland at the FibaEuroBasket U20 Tournament in Pitesti, Romani. Ogunbare shined in a tournament that has seen the likes of NBA talent such as Goran Dragić, Jonas Valančiūnas, and Deni Avdija, among many others.
“Covid robbed me of the experience at the U16 level, so when I was presented with the opportunity again I couldn’t say no,” said Ogunbare. The coolest thing about it was knowing that you’re suiting up and representing something much bigger than yourself, which is your country.”
Through a seven-game stretch that would see Ireland finish 3-4, Ogunbare led his team in points (12.7/game), rebounds (8.6/game) and efficiency (11.1/game). His best performance came against Kosova, a game in which he’d lead his team with 17 points on 7/14 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 12 rebounds in what was a dominant 71-53 win for Ireland.
With a year of learning behind him, Millersville expects Ogunbare to be a key contributor to a team that will desperately need his offensive production and defensive prowess.
“The redshirt really allowed me to get a feel for the college game before actually playing, which I feel like I can use to my advantage as I officially begin my collegiate career,” said Ogunbare.
“I’ve had conversations with Coach Stitzel and based on the summer I had and being one of three returners to the team, I can expect to have a key role in helping this team achieve our main goal – which is to win.”
As Ogunbare continues to adjust to his newfound love of basketball in the United States, he has embraced the challenge and is well on his way to becoming a centerpiece for Millersville basketball for years to come.
A season quickly approaching
Believe it or not, the basketball season is now just around the corner. The Marauders will open their season on Nov. 9 when they play host to Claflin at 5:00 p.m. The Marauders will turn around for their second game in less than 24 hours when they host Point Park on Nov. 10 at 3:00 p.m. PSAC play will tip off on Nov. 22 when the Marauders head west to take on California University of Pennsylvania (CALU) at 5:00 p.m.