ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State men's basketball program added talent and depth to its recruiting class with five signees Wednesday. Zach Christian (Victor Valley College), Deion Alston (Miramar), Victor Mijas (Diablo Valley College), Tre'von Bentley (Copper Mountain) and John Dong (Diablo Valley College) will join the Lumberjacks for the 2018-19 season.
Christian is a 6-10 power forward from Victor Valley College. The Los Angeles native brings an impressive combination of height and shooting ability that will make him a plug and play contributor for the Jacks. Under the coaching of Richard Thomas and Troy Johnson at Victor Valley, Christian earned First Team All-Conference honors. He also earned First Team All-Conference, Second Team CIF Division I and First Team Long Beach Dream Team accolades while playing at Lynwood High School.
"Zach has a great skill set for a big man, being able to shoot the 3 and is a very good passer," said Kinder. "He shot 43 percent from 3 last season and had over 50 assists, which will open up the floor and create a lot of space for other guys to make plays. We are excited to have a weapon like him in our arsenal."
A 6-4 guard from San Diego, Alston will add another polished guard to Kinder's already formidable arsenal. He was a First Team PCAC North selection and Team MVP at Miramar under the leadership of Head Coach Nick Gehler, and the Mt. Carmel High School product collected numerous awards for his alma mater. The guard was the Palomar League MVP, First Team All-Palomar League selection, First Team North County award winner and a San Diego All-Star participant during his senior season.
"Deion is a big guard who brings a lot of experience and maturity to both ends of the floor," said Kinder. "He will be able to help with ball-handling duties on the perimeter and create plays for himself and others. He is a veteran in terms of the way he talks and conducts himself on the court."
For the first time under Kinder's leadership, the North Coast squad will add some international talent. Mijas, a Sao Paulo, Brazil, native spent the last three seasons at Diablo Valley after coming to the United States. The 6-4 shooting guard was a 2018 Big Eight Honorable Mention selection last season and was a First Team All-Conference player in 2017. He led his U19 team to a Sao Paulo State Championship in 2015 and his U17 squad was the runner-up in 2013.
"Originally from Brazil, Victor has established himself as one of the best pure shooters in California Community College over the past two years," explained Kinder. "Victor also learned under legendary community college coach Steve Coccimiglio."
A 6-6 wing from Saginaw, Mich., Bentley will add another athletic playmaker for the Green and Gold. He played collegiately for Oakland Community College before joining Copper Mountain last season. Bentley was a 2015-16 All-Freshman Team selection at OCC and helped the squad capture a regional championship. The guard led his Saginaw High School team to a district and regional championships en route to a 2012 state title.
"Tre'von will be able to guard and play different positions in our system and will ignite Lumberjack Arena with his athleticism and playmaking abilities," said Kinder. "He had an immediate impact at Copper Mountain College for coach Devin Aye, making the California State JC playoffs in its first-ever season of competition."
Adding to the depth at guard, Dong is a 6-0 point guard from Diablo Valley. He spent the 2015-18 seasons playing for the Vikings. Dong was a two-time Team MVP at his alma mater North Gate High School in Walnut Creek.
"John is a tough point guard, a floor general who competes at a high level on both ends of the floor," said Kinder. "He brings a lot of defensive intensity and tenacity and comes highly recommended by his coach Steve Coccimiglio."
