It is very well deserved for Arizona Western Junior College 6-foot-1 sophomore guard AJ Marmolejos, as has found a college fit and home for himself. After a terrific sophomore season and a strong two-year career for Arizona Western and Head Coach Kyle Isaacs and his staff, Marmolejos has now given a verbal commitment to Lamar University (TX), as he reaches his personal goal now of playing Division-I basketball. Marmolejos turned in a sophomore season where he ranked among the top overall scorers of the basketball in the NJCAA ranks nationally, and also was selected as the ACCAC D-I Player of the Year.
It was a very nice season for Marmolejos as he received numerous honors for himself, and now he has capped it off with a nice verbal commitment to Head Coach Alvin Brooks and his hard-working staff. The Lamar staff has consistently recruited the state of Arizona, and has reeled in some superb talent as a result. Lamar previously signed Arizona High School Player of the Year Nate Calmese, who was severely under-recruited as a senior in Arizona. Calmese went on to average big numbers as a freshman starter for Lamar, and eventually entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, only to transfer to the University of Washington, where he saw limited playing time. Lamar also reeled in the services of 6-foot-8 juco stud Adam Hamilton from Glendale Junior College. Hamilton was also grosely under-recruited as a sophomore, and now is an All-Conference level performer for the Lamar basketball program.
Lamar assistant coach Charles Harrall has been behind the strong Arizona recruiting by the Lamar staff. A former longtime successful Head Coach from Arizona Western Junior College, Harrall works hard to evaluate players and uncover hidden gems. He found two in Calmese and Hamilton previously, and now he has landed another in AJ Marmolejos.
Marmolejos had a good freshman season for Head Coach Kyle Isaacs and his staff last year, but then he came back this season on another level, mentally and physically. This season, he ranked among the nation's top individual scorers in the NJCAA - pouring in 22.7 points (2nd in the ACCAC), 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per/game this season, while leading Arizona Western to a 20-10 overall record, and an 13-6 record in the ACCAC.
Congratulations to Marmolejos and the Arizona Western coaching staff on this big accomplishment, and great luck to him in the future. Marmolejos will sign a national letter of intent with Lamar next month during the NCAA Signing Period.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Marmolejos is a native of the Dominican Republic, and came to Arizona Western after a stint in San Diego, California. He is a very nice looking combo-guard prospect with a strong physical frame and an ability to run a team or score the basketball, as needed. He has a good handle of the basketball and is also a good shooter with some range on his shot, but is at his best off the dribble, from mid-range or driving strong to the basket, where he is a very good finisher for his size. He is a physical guard that does not mid physical contact, and likes to score the basketball. He can play either guard position, but should see the majority of his time as a point guard at the Division-I level, although he has the body and lateral quickness to defend either guard position. He is a good defender with quick hands and feet, and plays passing lanes. He also pushes the ball up the floor and likes to play in a fast-paced offensive style, where he can push the ball up the floor to the to open teammate and make plays in the open floor.
