Oakland University gives Army veteran chance to play NCAA basketball

Isaiah Brock never thought he’d be here, in Rochester, playing college basketball for Oakland University, considering where he was just two years ago.

“I was a mortuary affairs specialist for the Army,” Brock said. “I was on Kandahar air base, retrieving fallen heroes and shipping them back to their loved ones.”

Four years and two tours of duty taught the Army veteran a lot about honor and service. He joined the military as his best option after high school in Baltimore. It was a chance meeting with coach Greg Kampe in Kuwait that started the ball rolling.

“I met coach Kampe and we sat down and talked  about my whole life, what I’ve been through,” Brock said. “ He was intrigued. And he wanted to give me a chance to get my degree and play here. “

There were hoops to jump through. Brock’s grades in high school were not at the level required by the NCAA. But, he studied in the Army and proved himself, argued Kampe and the university.

“This was a chance for me and Oakland to help a veteran,” Kampe said. “When the  NCAA looked and saw that, they agreed and let him play.”

Now, the 23-year-old freshman is out-performing even what Kampe expected on the court.

“If you would have said he would start, lead in blocks, earn freshman of the week honors, make it to the all-freshman team, I would have said no. Maybe in a couple years,” he said.

Brock credits his military background.  

“It’s the same, the whole discipline aspect, do as you're told,” Brock said. “Kampe has a mission for you. What he wants you to do on the court. Mine is rebounding and defending. I try to go out every day and accomplish that.”

Brock is majoring in biology at Oakland with hopes to get his master’s degree and eventually work in marine biology. 


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Jamie anchors sports coverage on Local 4 News Saturdays at 6 & 11 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m., in addition to hosting Sports Final Edition.