The Arizona Daily Star is reporting the following:
Former Pueblo High School guard/forward Michael Perez was extended an offer by St. John’s, a Big East school, while playing for the Compton Magic during a tournament in Long Beach, Calif., this week.
Perez verbally committed to play for the Red Storm this fall, a program that is now coached by former UCLA head man Steve Lavin.
“Two weeks ago I was thinking I was heading to a junior college,” said Perez, who averaged 29.9 points at Pueblo as a senior. “But I’ve been playing well, and I thought I’d wait just a little longer to decide, see if anyone else would offer.
“Now I’m in a daze. It’s always been my dream to play D-I college basketball.”
Congratulations to Michael Perez.
Update:
August 22, 2010
Compton Magic combo choses UTEP
By Van Coleman van@hoopmasters.com
Tim Floyd and his UTEP staff received some immediate help from 6-3 combo guard Mike Perez who committed on his visit…
We received a heads-up from our own Etop UdoEma, and the director of the Compton Magic told us that his graduating senior combo guard 6-3 Mike Perez from Tucson, AZ Pueblo High has decided to sign a grant-in-aid with UTEP.
“I’m a UTEP Miner,” Mike Perez told Hoopmasters Sunday afternoon.
He has the tools to make an impact at UTEP this fall and became available coutesy of the clearinghouse according to Coach UdoEma.
“You will remember he exploded on the scene this summer and suddenly committed to Steve Lavin and St John’s,” UdoEma explained. “There were minor hold ups on his transcript with the clearinghouse that officially cleared up last week making him eligible for this up coming year.”
“But, with St Johns out of the picture there have been many schools jumping in last minute to secure his services for this year.”
He was scheduled to visit UTEP and Rhode Island, Coach UdoEma told Hoopmasters. But, now that he has decided to attend UTEP he won’t take any other visits.”
Perez is a super athletic combo guard who plays way above the rim off the dribble, has range to the arc and the ball skills to play either spot in college. He has a big time motor and averaged 30 points per game last year for Tucson Pueblo High. Look for him to add some instant firepower for the Miners this fall.