Catalina Foothills High School's basketball program has been well-recognized over the years among the elite basketball programs in the state, as the program has seen much success on the basketball court over the past decade.
This past season was no different for the programs as Catalina Foothills posted one of the best overall records of the season, as they finished with an impressive 29-4 overall record on the season in the state's Division-II Class.
A major reason for the success of the program the last two seasons has been the terrific play of talented 6-foot-4, 180-pound junior guard Austin Nehls. Nehls has turned in back-to-back strong seasons for himself, and this season he raised his level of play a great deal - averaging 19.8 points, 2.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per/game for the Falcons.
In the recent Southwest Showcase Main Event, Nehls proved just how much he has developed as a player - helping lead his club team, the Arizona Magic Pump N' Run-2014, to a share of the 17U Platinum Division Tournament Title. In the event, Nehls looked much bigger than we had seen him last summer, and also showed much improved athleticism, quickness and vigor on the basketball court. Nehls shot the basketball with serious confidence with a quick release and attacked the basket with enthusiasm - looking to dunk the basketball over defenders any opportunity he had when given the baseline by a defender.
Nehls will look to team up with a talented, but hard-working group of players this spring and summer with his club team and hope to generate as much interest as possible for himself from college programs. He is very well deserving as he has developed into one of the top performing players in Arizona's loaded 2014 class.
While Nehls has flown well below the recruiting radar, last summer Nehls showcased his ability to play the game in front of numerous college coaches, while playing for his same club team and teaming up with such top-rated 2014 college prospects as junior guard/forward Zylan Cheatham, Tate De Laveaga (Northern Arizona commit), Perry's Jordan Howard and Connor MacDougall (Arizona State commit).
This up & coming spring and summer will be big for Nehls, but he looks primed to make some noise for himself on the club circuit.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Nehls is an excellent shooter of the basketball with nice range on his shot and a quick release. His ability to shoot the basketball makes him a threat from anywhere on the floor, which sets up his ability to put the basketball on the deck and make moves toward the basket. Nehls has a solid mid-range game which allows him to make plays for himself or others when defenders extend to contest his shot. Nehls is a good ball handler and passer, but is at his best from the shooting guard position where he is able to score the basketball. He is a good team defender but still needs to work to improve to become a better one-on-one defender. He does a good job of rebounding the basketball for his size, but continued focus in this area of his game will allow for him to develop as a prospect. Has grown physically over the last year and looks to be still growing. A solid overall prospect that is fundamentally sound and knows how to put the ball in the basket.
