After a strong start to the 2024-25 season, losing only to the No. 1-ranked team in its first six games, the Yakima Valley College men’s basketball team was ravaged by injuries and illnesses the next two months.
Head Coach London Wilson noted that the Yaks could only suit up seven players at times until a three-game win streak in mid-February, including a victory over then-unbeaten Walla Walla Community College, gave them a glimmer of hope for a post-season berth.
Unfortunately, the late season push fell just short, with the Yaks finishing fifth in the Northwest Athletic Conference East Region (12-14 overall, 6-8 in conference play), just missing a spot in the post-season tournament.
“Overall I feel we put ourselves in the best possible position with what we were dealing
with,” said Wilson. “We were a young team and I do believe that played a part in our
ability to overcome adversities. But I believe we gave ourselves a fighting chance
with what we were dealt.” 
TOP: Freshman guard guard Fabian Alvarado drives to the basket during a home game versus Walla Walla Community College. ABOVE: Freshman guard Jaymon Wright attempts a layup during a February 12 victory over Treasure Valley Community College.
Wilson also noted the impact of three local players on this year’s squad. At one point early in the season, sophomore guard/wing Jaxson Goldsmith (West Valley High School) led the NWAC in scoring, sophomore guard Jose Brown (Davis High School) led the league in 3-point percentage and steals per game, and sophomore guard Claysen Delp (Zillah High School) was top 10 in scoring and top 5 in assists and steals.
“Something that will stay with me was three Valley boys taking over the NWAC,” Wilson said. “It was really cool the excitement around the team and community because we rarely see that all of those top contributors being from one team and being local.”
Those three sophomores all finished the season in the NWAC’s top 20 in scoring: Goldsmith with 19.1 points per game, 10th in the NWAC; Delp with 18.5 points per game, 15th in the NWAC; and Brown averaging 17.7 per game, 20th in the NWAC. Brown was also one of the league’s most efficient scorers, shooting 53.7% from the field.
Sophomore guard Claysen Delp attempts a floater versus Columbia Basin College at Sherar Gymnasium.
Pacing the Yaks in rebounding was sophomore wing Kenzel Massey with 6 per game, while Delp led the team with 3.9 assists per game (15th in the NWAC). The Yaks high-pressure defense resulted in three players being top 11 in the NWAC in steals per game: Brown and Massey averaging two each and Delp averaging 1.9.
Delp earned second team All-East Region honors and also made the region’s all-defensive team.
Wilson noted that recruiting is the life blood of the program and Yaks are motivated for next season.
“With what we plan on returning, finding the perfect ingredients to add to this will be the next moves,” Wilson said. “Finishing the school year strong is always a priority. Spring is when you transform your game so we will get back to work here shortly.”
Story by Dustin Wunderlich, director of community relations. Photos by Juan Padilla, public relations student assistant, and Ross Courtney.