By Adeniyi Latinwo, December 9, 2025
Since 2016, the Cal Poly Pomona Men’s Basketball Club team gives students the opportunity to pursue their academics while still being able to play basketball at a high level.
The club usually plays on Saturdays, Sundays, and occasionally on weekdays. They compete against the top universities in Southern California, such as California State University, Fullerton, San Diego State, University of California, Los Angeles and University of Southern California. In past seasons, the team has also traveled to Northern California and Arizona to play in regional tournaments.
Club president William Gartrell-Harrison faces a lot of challenges running the club as a student, but he said he doesn’t let the hardships deter him from his responsibilities.
“It has been challenging, honestly, but I have always accepted hardship,” Gartrell-Harrison said. “I start my days early to give myself enough time to focus on the team while balancing a job and a very rigorous course load.”
Gartrell-Harrison credits the club board for their assistance in keeping everything in order. He said they have done a phenomenal job at picking up things he may miss, and they help him stay on top of his duties as president of the team.
One thing Gartrell-Harrison emphasizes to his team is establishing a culture. His goal is to succeed on the court and also develop a brotherhood off the court. He said they are also in new chapters of their lives in college, and he wants everyone to feel supported and a part of something bigger than basketball.
Tim Akporavbare said his biggest takeaway from being on the team the past four years is all the relationships he’s been able to create with his teammates. His favorite part about the club is getting together, whether it’s at practice, at a game, or on a trip, because he knows it will be a fun way to form great memories.
“My experience with the team has been amazing,” Akporavbare said. “I have the chance to play basketball competitively even though we are not the official school basketball team.”
Daryl Sledge Jr., another member of the club team, said everyone on the team is very tight-knit.
“Many of our players are close friends off the court, and you will routinely find them lurking around the In-N-Out and local eateries in the wee hours of the morning,” Sledge said.
Sledge Jr. and the rest of the team think strengthening their bond outside of basketball will help improve their chemistry on the court.
“We’re always finding ways to decompress and develop that much-needed trust, which will translate to on the court performance,” Sledge Jr. said.
Gartrell-Harrison has three main goals for the upcoming season: to push the importance of philanthropic-related activities, make it to nationals, and bring the joy back to their team.
“I want everyone to be excited when they come to practice and take it as chances to learn something new about themselves,” Gartrell-Harrison said. “Whether it’s related to basketball or not, at the same time, I believe we have such a hard-working team who strives to get better every time they step on the court, and we know we can make nationals.”
The club operates in the Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex. Tryouts are hosted at the beginning of the semester. Any student is welcome to try out to earn a spot on the club roster.
Feature graphic courtesy of CPP Men’s Basketball Club
