Press Release
Utah State Eastern men’s basketball coach Vando Becheli recently announced the signing of Gabriel Machado De Oliviera. Oliviera became the first recruit of Becheli’s 2018 recruiting class to sign a letter of intent to join the Eagles next Fall.
Becheli said that he is very happy to add Oliviera to his program to begin building his latest recruiting class.
“He is a very good addition to our program because in Brazil, he is a top five player in his age group,” said Becheli.
Becheli also said that Oliviera has turned down opportunities to go pro in Brazil to come to USU Eastern to play college basketball and receive an education.
Oliviera signed with the Eagles in November as part of the early signing period and is excited to come to Price later this year.
“This is a very good university and coming here will upgrade my game to give me a chance to be really good,” said Oliviera.
Coach Becheli said that Oliviera will add depth to the forward position because of his versatility.
“He is a versatile player who can play the three and four. He can attack the basket but also can shoot from the three point line,” said Becheli.
To get to know his future teammates and the campus, Oliviera and his father made the 15-hour flight for a campus visit this month.
“I was very motivated to come here before coming to school here. Seeing the facilities and the academic buildings made me more happy with my decision,” said Oliviera.
Oliviera is a native of Franca, Brazil and is the son of Marco Oliviera and Debora Machado.
The rest of the 2018 recruiting class is still being put together and signings will be announced at a later date.