Sports

Meithof transferring to out-of-state school

Nate Meithof (23) will be transferring from McNary to Coranado High School in Henderson, NV. in order to gain more interest from college coaches (File).

It is still unknown whether the McNary boys’ basketball team will be able to have a season this year, but if they do, they will be without their top player from last season.

Nate Meithof, the Mountain Valley Conference co-player of the year last season as a junior, will be transferring to Coranado High School in Henderson, NV. for his senior year.

After averaging over 23 points and nine rebounds per game last season, Meithof is hoping that the move will help him gain more interest from college coaches.

“It will give me the chance to be seen more and to have more exposure. It’s definitely a bigger stage to be playing on,” Meithof said. “I’m going to miss everyone here, it was just too good of an offer to pass up.”

Meithof plans to move to Nevada later this month along with his older brother. He elected to choose Coranado because of a connection between one of Meithof’s trainers and the school’s head basketball coach.

Nevada has similar COVID-19 restrictions to Oregon and both states only have a six-week regular season planned for high school basketball, but Meithof believes that the change in schools will give him the ability to maximize his potential and play at the highest level.

Meithof will also get the opportunity to play with two of the best guards in the country in Jaden Hardy — a five-star recruit with multiple Division I offers — and four-star recruit Frankie Collins — who is committed to the University of Michigan.

“I’m really excited. It’s a really good opportunity to be playing with better players. It’s going to make me better,” Meithof said.

Before he made his final decision, Meithof sought counsel from McNary head coach Ryan Kirch.

“We support him 100%. We want to do the best we can to give him a chance at a college scholarship,” Kirch said. “I am not doing my job as a coach if we’re not doing what is in his best interests. This will be what is best for his future.”

Since he was unable to play on the AAU circuit during the spring, Meithof doesn’t have any official offers right now. While he dreams of playing Division I college basketball, Meithof, doesn’t have a particular school he wants to play at, he’s just looking for the opportunity.

“It doesn’t matter to me where I go. It’s just about whoever gives me a chance,” Meithof said.

While he is excited for the next step in his basketball journey, Meithof is thankful for the time he spent as a Celtic.

“It was a great three years at McNary. I really appreciate everyone who has been supporting me on the journey,” Meithof said.

“I don’t know if I have coached a kid in 20 years that wants to be as great as Nate does … You certainly feel blessed to be able to coach a kid who is that talented. It’s been so fun to watch him grow as a player and a person. I’m so proud of him,” Kirch added.