Noah Gottlieb, the fifth-leading scorer in Santa Monica College basketball history, has transferred from Chaminade University in Honolulu to College of Idaho for his senior season.
Gottlieb will be eligible to play immediately as he goes from an NCAA Division 2 school to an NAIA school.
Gottlieb, a 6-foot-1 guard, made all-city at Venice High and all-conference at both SMC and Chaminade.
“Noah is very excited to play in this environment and feels he can help the team and the program reach a higher level,” said Louis Gottlieb, Noah’s father. “And for Noah’s friends in Santa Monica, you should know every College of Idaho game is shown on the web.”
College of Idaho coach Mark Owen announced last week that Gottlieb had signed a letter of intent. Earlier, Chaminade granted Gottlieb’s request to be released from his scholarship.
Gottlieb started 23 games at Chaminade last season and averaged nearly 10 points while ranking fifth in the conference in assists. He had 16 rebounds in one game as part of a triple double. He shot 51 percent, including 47 percent from three-point range and 77 percent on free throws.
In a tournament game Gottlieb scored 11 points against Indiana.
The most famous player in College of Idaho history is Elgin Baylor, who played there in his first season out of high school. Baylor then transferred to Seattle University before launching his Hall of Fame NBA career with the Lakers.
“On his visit to College of Idaho Noah was impressed with the faculty, the location and the facilities,” said Louis Gottlieb.
Noah Gottlieb isn’t the only Southern California player joining the College of Idaho team. Steve Peres of El Camino College is also coming in, along with Matt Ballenger of Colorado, Jim White of Columbia Basin CC and Kellen Rhodes of Montana Tech.
The 6-foot-4 Peres averaged 15 points for El Camino, was all-South Coast Conference and was voted the school’s Athlete of the Year.
College of Idaho has eight players returning from a team that was 16-15. It will open the season Nov. 4 with an exhibition game at Boise State.
