Oregon State Men's Basketball Breakthrough Enters Transfer Portal
Nate Kingz' childhood dream was to play basketball at Oregon State University. After fulfilling that dream, Kingz is now set to start a new chapter. Yesterday the redshirt-junior from Salem entered the transfer portal.
Despite missing his senior season of high school basketball due to the COVID pandemic, Kingz finished his tenure at Keizer's McNary HS as the school's second-highest all-time points scorer. He was also tenacious on the glass. I vividly remember an Abby's Classic preseason game in Medford where a then underclassman Kingz rebounded seemingly every loose ball for an entire quarter of game time.
That impressive resume went unnoticed by D1 programs, so Kingz committed to NAIA Westmont College. Then he spent a year in junior college, and finally transferred to Oregon State ahead of the 2023-24 season, only to tear an ACL.
The 2024-25 season was his breakout campaign: 50.4% from the field, 44.6% on three pointers, 81.8% in the free throw circle, and a versatile two-way play style leaning on his exceptional length. Kingz is listed at only 6'4", but regularly deflects shots & passes with ease. Before this month's West Coast Conference tournament, Kingz was named an honorable mention to the WCC All-Conference team.
He lived his dream. Now he's on to the next chapter.
More Reading Material From Oregon State Beavers On SI
Matt fell in love with radio during his college days at Oregon Tech, and pursued a nine year career in sports broadcasting with Klamath Falls' and Medford's highest-rated sports radio stations. He currently lives in McMinnville wine country and is excited to talk about the Beavers again.