Oregon State’s Josiah Lake II Steps Into Spotlight After Roster Exodus
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State’s offseason wasn’t just a reset-it was a full-blown roster reboot. The Beavers didn’t just lose a few key pieces; they lost everyone from the starting lineup.
All five starters, all five top scorers-gone. Each took their talents to high-major programs, leaving a gaping hole in both production and leadership.
Michael Rataj (16.9 points per game) is now at Baylor. Parsa Fallah (12.8 ppg) landed at Oklahoma State.
Nate Kingz (11.8 ppg) took his game to Syracuse. Damarco Minor (9.8 ppg) is at Pittsburgh.
And Liutauras Lelevicius (8.7 ppg) headed to TCU. That’s a staggering amount of scoring, experience, and chemistry out the door.
What was left? A handful of rotation players, and among them, one name stood out-Josiah Lake II.
Now a junior, Lake wasn’t a headliner last season, averaging 6.9 points per game off the bench. But with the Beavers stripped down to the studs, the 6-foot-2 guard from nearby Tualatin has stepped into the spotlight-and he’s done so with poise, production, and a sense of urgency.
Under longtime head coach Wayne Tinkle, now in his 12th season at the helm, Lake has become the engine of this new-look Oregon State team. He leads the Beavers in both scoring (13.5 ppg) and assists (3.8 apg), and he’s doing it while shouldering the pressure of being the guy in a program trying to find its footing again.
And now, with Gonzaga coming to Gill Coliseum on Saturday (3 p.m. PT, KHQ/ESPN+), Lake gets another shot at a team he’s already seen twice-and one that surely hasn’t forgotten him.
Last season, Lake played a key role in Oregon State’s 97-89 overtime win over the Zags. He logged 34 minutes, scored 11 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assists, and swiped three steals. It was a gritty, all-around performance that helped the Beavers pull off the upset.
But two weeks later in Spokane, Gonzaga flipped the script-and flipped it hard. In a 98-60 blowout win at the Kennel, Lake was held to just two points, missing all five of his field goal attempts. It was a reminder of how quickly things can swing when facing a top-tier program like the Zags.
This time around, Lake enters the rematch as a more seasoned and confident player. He’s become a tough cover for opposing defenses, thanks to his ability to draw contact, knock down threes, and create for his teammates. His 114 free throw attempts are second-most in the West Coast Conference, and he’s converting at an impressive 83.2% clip from the line.
From deep, Lake isn’t launching as many attempts as teammates Dez White or Isaiah Sy, but he’s making them count-hitting a team-best 37.7% from beyond the arc. That efficiency adds another layer to his offensive game, forcing defenders to respect him both on the drive and the perimeter.
But Saturday won’t be easy. Gonzaga is coming in with something to prove after allowing 27 points to Portland freshman Joel Foxwell in their last outing. Expect a Zags defense that’s locked in, particularly in the backcourt.
Gonzaga has also been on a tear when it comes to creating extra possessions. They’ve forced 15 or more turnovers in six of their last seven games, and guards Braeden Smith and Mario Saint-Supery have been especially disruptive. That could spell trouble for Lake, who’s averaging 2.4 turnovers per game and will need to be sharp with the ball under pressure.
Still, this is the kind of game that defines a season-and potentially a player’s trajectory. For Josiah Lake II, it’s another chance to show that he’s not just filling a void, but forging a new identity for Oregon State basketball in the post-transfer era.
The Beavers may have lost their stars, but they’ve found a leader. And on Saturday, all eyes will be on Lake to see if he can rise once again.