Vista Grande High School is not widely known for producing top-rated basketball talent in the state, but 5-foot-11 rising junior guard Jeovany Cruz is quickly trying to change that. This young guard prospect is working extremely hard on his craft daily to perfect his fundamentals in preparation for a big junior season for himself.
I became very familiar with Cruz in our Arizona Preps Recruiting Academy recently, and was extremely impressed at his tremendous work ethic. Cruz was the hardest worker at the camp by far and was almost perfect in his approach to the game. He has tremendous work ethic and took every drill seriously - taking his time on each drill, while also showing precision during the process. He also works daily with his personal trainer Chris Hurst, so I know he is working hard since Hurst's workouts are very intense.
Cruz is a very talented and skilled guard prospect that plays the point position and has a nice ability to run a team, while also being able to score the basketball off the dribble or while catching and shooting. He is at his best as a facilitator - creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Cruz is a floor general and a leader. He is also a vocal leader that competes at a high level and demands the same from his teammates.
Among the state's young prospects, this young man is one of my very favorites - an up-and-coming top performer that should will his way to a very good high school career.
This season, as a junior, Cruz will help lead the way for a Vista Grande team that will feature a new head coach as John Jackson has taken over the program. Jackson has a wealth of basketball experience and should be an excellent coach for the Vista Grande program and the Casa Grande community. Cruz should be able to develop nicely under Jackson and his staff.
Look for Cruz to become one of the better guard prospects in Arizona's 2017 class and become a college prospect. This young man works much too hard to not make it. If he doesn't make it in basketball long term, then he will definitely make it in life, as a result of his tremendous work ethic.
