INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Forward Tuburu Naivalurua was named the Horizon League's Preseason Player of the Year as the Golden Grizzlies have been voted to finish the Horizon in second place, as voted by coaches and media members.

Naivalurua, a fifth-year from Sydney, Australia, is back on the Blacktop as the league's scoring leader of returning players, averaging 13.9 points/game in 2024-25. He started all 31 games for the Black and Gold, averaging 35.2 minutes and shot 65.9% from the free throw line (83-126), shot 55.5% from the field (187-337), and totaled 459 points his senior campaign. On the other side of the ball, Naivalurua averaged 7.1 rebounds a game for 234 total boards.

The Golden Grizzlies finished the 2024-25 season in sixth place with an 11-9 record in league play. OU sees the return of two letterwinners, Naivalurua and sophomore Nassim Mashhour, returning 25.3% of scoring from last season. Kampe sees the addition of 11 newcomers including three freshmen.

Notable additions for the Black and Gold include senior Brody Robinson from UT Arlington (averaged 9.5 points/game, 40.0% shooter from three, saw action in all 31 games), junior Isaac Garrett from Snow College (averaged 11.6 points/game, 7.0 rebounds/game, totaled 652 points across two seasons), and senior Ziare Wells from Lenoir-Rhyne (averaged 16.6 points/game, produced 29 double figure games, All-SAC First Team, All-SAC Newcomer of the Year, South Atlantic Conference Tournament Champion and NCAA Division II Regional Champion).

The Golden Grizzlies will begin their 2025-26 campaign with exhibitions at the OU Credit Union O'rena against Alma (Oct. 22) and Rochester Christian (Oct. 30). Oakland kicks off the regular season at Michigan on Monday, Nov. 3.


How to Follow Oakland Men's Basketball: For complete information on Oakland Men's Basketball follow the team on X at @OaklandMBB and head coach Greg Kampe at @KampeOU. The team is also on Instagram and Facebook.