NORTH COAST – Kao Saelee, a member of the 2006-07 Mendocino College Men’s Basketball team, signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Cascade College (NAIA) in Portland, Ore.

Saelee came to Mendocino College from Armijo High School in Fairfield. As a freshman (2004-05), he started 15 games. After redshirting the 2005-06 season, Saelee started 15 games at point guard and averaged 7 points and 4 assists this past season.

Feeling young when he first arrived at Mendocino College, Saelee believes that he has grown up as both a student and player since attending Mendocino College.

“Mendocino College was a great experience for me as a student-athlete,” Saelee said. “My basketball game has developed and the atmosphere with professors was outstanding.”

Saelee and the intangibles that he brought to the Mendocino College basketball program will be missed. However, Mendocino College Head Basketball Coach Kevin Koch is happy for him and the Cascade College basketball program.

“Kao is a young man who brought a tremendous amount of hustle, toughness and speed to our program over the last three years. He has matured tremendously as a student and as a young man over that time,” Koch said.

According to Koch, it is a great situation for Saelee since he can compete for a starting job right away and earn the final credits needed for his bachelor’s degree.

“I feel that the school is a good fit. With Cascade being a small school, I feel the program is designed for me to have success there,” Saelee said.

Cascade College is a member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference and was 5-24 last season.

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