Forgotten star is Vikings’ treasure

When someone mentions high school basketball in the state of Oregon, the first name that comes to mind is Kevin Love, the freshmen phenom from Lake Oswego who now leads the No. 2 UCLA Bruins. Second to mind is Kyle Singler, a freshman forward from South Medford who starts for No. 13 Duke.

Love and Singler shared player of the year honors last season as Oregon’s top two players in the state. These two, as well as the Ducks’ Maarty Leunen, are often considered the cream of the crop in Oregon basketball. But a forgotten talent is right here in the South Park Blocks: Jeremiah Dominguez.

Mired on the bench for two seasons at the University of Portland, the 2004 high school player of the year does not come to mind as quickly when thinking of Oregon’s top ballers. But after transferring to Portland State in 2006 and sitting out the one mandatory year, Dominguez is poised to add to the growing legacy of outstanding basketball players from the Beaver State.

Through hard work, determination and the support of his family, the junior point guard has the opportunity to solidify himself as one of Oregon’s greatest.

If you ask Dominguez where he puts himself among the Oregon elite, he will say he does not know, that he never even thinks about it. After sitting out last season and struggling to get playing time at Portland, Dominguez has had a chance to gain perspective.

“You get recognized by what you do,” Dominguez said. “If you play well and win, the recognition comes. I don’t really think about it much. I have goals of where I want to be and my dream is to play after college. That’s what motivates me to get better.”

As a senior at South Salem High School in 2004, Dominguez was recognized as the state’s best, leading the Saxons to a 25-2 record. He averaged 22.3 points and six assists per game, and defeated Leunen’s Redmond team for the state title.

But at 5’6″ and 150 lbs, Dominguez, unlike fellow players of the year, garnered little respect from major colleges, and found himself in a less than ideal situation at Portland.

In 58 games with the Pilots, Dominguez averaged 3.8 points and 1.6 assists in 14.8 minutes and struggled from the floor, hitting only 31 percent of his shots. This Pilot showing gives Dominguez a good idea of how to improve.

“I know I can score. In my mind I can score on anybody, but I’ll do whatever the team needs to win,” Dominguez said. “I need to keep working on my shot and decision making-decision making so I get used to situations and making the right decision comes easier.”

Working hard comes naturally to Dominguez, as word of his legendary work ethic is already spreading around campus.

“I think he spends about every free minute he has in the gym,” said associate head coach Tyler Geving. “Most kids you have to tell to work harder and get in the gym. With Jeremiah, it’s the opposite. He just lives in the gym.”

But Portland State’s diminutive gym rat is not wasting his time hoisting up half court shots or playing a friendly game of horse while he is practicing on his own watch. Instead, Dominguez is constantly striving to improve, though many of his skills are already impressively honed.

“He’s a phenomenal jump shooter and has a great understanding of the game. He also has a knack for scoring five to 10 feet from the hoop. That’s better than we thought for a guy his size,” Geving said. “You’re going to be successful when you have a good point guard.”

Dominguez decided to transfer to Portland State after playing in open gyms during the summers at the Stott Center. He enjoyed the atmosphere and competition, and also liked what he saw from head coach Ken Bone. More than anything, though, Dominguez’s decision was based on family.

“I stayed close to home so I could give my parents the opportunity to watch me play,” Dominguez said. “It’s kind of a way of me giving back to them for all their support because I didn’t have to work and could just focus on basketball.”

Don’t be surprised if Dominguez has the biggest following at home games this season. Dominguez’s mom, dad, sisters, aunt and uncle plan on coming to every game.

“Having them there means everything to me,” Dominguez said.

If all goes well, having Dominguez there may mean everything to the Vikings for the next two seasons.