Former Woodburn High School basketball standout R.J. Veliz will start his collegiate career a little closer to home than anticipated after he announced on July 31 that he would be playing for the Western Oregon University Wolves this fall.

A first-team All-State guard at the 4A level for the Woodburn Bulldogs this past spring, Veliz initially committed to play for Division II Saint Martin's University in May, but announced via Twitter that he had received his release from the Lacey, Washington Catholic School earlier in July.